Philosophy for the Rest of Cognitive Science
Abstract
Cognitive science has always included multiple methodologies and theoretical commitments. The philosophy of cognitive science should embrace, or at least acknowledge, this diversity. Bechtel's (2009a) proposed philosophy of cognitive science, however, applies only to representationalist and mechanist cognitive science, ignoring the substantial minority of dynamically oriented cognitive scientists. As an example of nonrepresentational, dynamical cognitive science, we describe strong anticipation as a model for circadian systems (Stepp & Turvey, 2009). We then propose a philosophy of science appropriate to nonrepresentational, dynamical cognitive science.
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Proponents of the ecological approach have argued for pluralism within cognitive science in order to make room for ecological psychology.
“Proponents of the ecological approach have been arguing for pluralism within cognitive science to make room for ecological psychology.”
From Productive pluralism: The coming of age of ecological psychology. (2024) · cites this paper as Stepp et al., 2011
Cites
The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception: Classic Edition
Gibson, J. J. (2014) · doi:10.4324/9781315740218 · Cited by 12,132 · see citing works
Explanation and Scientific Understanding
Friedman, M. (1974) · The Journal of Philosophy · doi:10.2307/2024924 · Cited by 1,386 · see citing works
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Bruineberg, J., Kiverstein, J., & Rietveld, E. (2018) · Synthese · doi:10.1007/s11229-016-1239-1 · Cited by 383 · see citing works
On staying grounded and avoiding quixotic dead ends
Barsalou, L. W. (2016) · Psychonomic Bulletin & Review · doi:10.3758/s13423-016-1028-3 · Cited by 331 · see citing works
From metaphor to theory: the role of resonance in perceptual learning
Raja, V. (2019) · Adaptive Behavior · doi:10.1177/1059712319854350 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Productive pluralism: The coming of age of ecological psychology.
Bruineberg, J., Withagen, R., & van Dijk, L. (2024) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/rev0000438 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
- Authors
- Stepp, N., Chemero, A., & Turvey, M. T.
- Affiliations
- Haskins Laboratories (US)
- Franklin & Marshall College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Stepp, Nigel
- Venue
- Topics in Cognitive Science
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-04
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 425-437
- ISSN
- 1756-8757 (ISSN-L)
- 1756-8765
- OpenAlex
- W2086171626
- Cited by
- 95
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 2.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Topics in Cognitive Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD-01994, P01HD001994)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy and History of Science
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
- Keywords
- philosophy of cognitive science, representationalism, mechanicism, circadian system, philosophy of science
- MeSH terms
- Circadian Rhythm, Cognition, Humans, Models, Theoretical, Philosophy, Cognitive Science
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