Extended mind thesis

Mind extends into tools and environment

The extended mind thesis has implications for personal identity, suggesting that some aspects of a person's identity can be influenced by their environment. This perspective broadens the understanding of self beyond the confines of the brain.

Example

A student uses a notebook to store and retrieve information for studying, effectively extending their cognitive capabilities through this external tool.

Remember this

This concept challenges traditional views of cognition and personal identity, expanding our understanding of mental processes and self.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related concepts

Embodied cognition

Thinking is influenced by bodily state and capacities

Binding problem

The binding problem is about integrating separate sensory inputs into a unified experience

Computational theory of mind

Can our thoughts be like computer programs?

Twin Earth thought experiment

Twin Earth thought experiment illustrates semantic externalism

Consciousness

Why do we struggle to understand consciousness?

Four-dimensionalism

Objects persist by having temporal parts

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