COGNITIVE SCIENCE 18, 513-549 (1994) On Distinguishing Epistemic from Pragmatic Action DAVID KIRSH AND PAUL MAGLIO University of California, San Diego We present data and argument to show that in Tetris—a real-time, interactive video game—certain cognitive and perceptual problems are more quickly, easily, and reliably solved by performing actions in the world than by performing com- putational actions in the head alone. We have found that some of the translations ‘and rotations made by players of this video game are best understood as actions that use the world to improve cognition. These actions are not used to implement ‘a plan, or to implement a reaction; they are used to change the world in order to