Philosophy Of Mind

Reading Assignment 2

Name: Modi Saurabh Mehul

Roll: B20EE035

Andy Clark and David J. Chalmers present a provocative new view of the nature and

limits meant to challenge our view of where the mind ends and the world begins. In

other words, their argument, referred to as the active externalism, the cognitive

processes extend beyond the human brain, including the interaction with the

environment.

Introduction:

They question the traditional boundary of the mind as inside the skull and skin and

suggest that the bounds of the mind are projected out into the world by means of active

engagement with external aids. This is contrary to the internalism view that cognitive

processes are resident wholly within the brain and the passive externalism view, which

places an overemphasis on control by the external environment over the internal

cognitive states without granting the latter any role in cognitive processes.

Main Body:

The paper brings in three scenarios, explaining how the cognitive processes in an

individual extend beyond that individual:

 1. A person rotates some geometric shapes in his or her mind until they fit in some
sockets provided on the computer screen.
2. This button allows for a physical rotation of the shapes on the screen, hence
physically putting the dichotomy down in solving the puzzle.
3. A person with the neural implant performs the rotation mentally by the push of
the actual button, signifying integration between the two dichotomous biological
and technological cognitive resources.

These scenarios highlight that cognition can be distributed across the brain, body, and

environment, challenging the notion that cognitive processes are confined to the brain.

The authors argue that when external devices, such as a notebook or a computer, play

an integral role in cognitive tasks, they should be considered part of the cognitive

process. This extension of cognition into the environment enables humans to leverage

external resources, enhancing cognitive capabilities beyond what is possible with

internal processes alone.

According to active externalism, the environment is an active partaker in cognitive

processes. Contrary to passive externalism, where outside influential factors are distant

and indirectly linked, active externalism subscribes to direct involvement with the

outside helps, which literally become part of the cognitive tasks. All of the above goes

on to show that cognition can indeed be seen as extended and hence has implications

for the very definition of self in that, it suggests people themselves can be construed to

be extended systems that include bio-elements and external aids.

Conclusion:

"The Extended Mind" is a challenge to traditional views on the mind and cognition;

representing argumentative active externalism, according to which cognitive processes

reach the environment because they have direct interaction with surrounding external

aids. This view works not only as another perspective for the inclusive insight into
cognitive processes but also as new bordering of selves, integrating internal and

external resources. Clearly, recognizing the active role of the environment in cognition

calls for reconsideration of the manner in which cognitive tasks are appropriately

conceptualized and categorized. This is a radical view with vast consequences for

philosophy, cognitive science, and anthropological understanding, let alone our

relationship to the world, in representing an even more related and extended conception

of mind.