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Embodied Cognition
Abstract
Embodied cognition is a recent development in psychology that practitioners often present as a superseding standard cognitive science. In this outstanding introduction, Lawrence Shapiro sets out the central themes and debates surrounding embodied cognition, explaining and assessing the work of many of the key figures in the field, including Lawrence Barsalou, Daniel Casasanto, Andy Clark, Alva Noë, and Michael Spivey. Beginning with an outline of the theoretical and methodological commitments of standard cognitive science, Shapiro then examines philosophical and empirical arguments surrounding the traditional perspective, setting the stage for a detailed examination of the embodied alternative. He introduces topics such as dynamical systems theory, ecological psychology, robotics, and connectionism, before addressing core issues in philosophy of mind such as mental representation and extended cognition. This second edition has been updated and revised throughout and includes new chapters that both expand on earlier topics and that introduce new material on embodied concepts, preference formation, and emotion. Including helpful chapter summaries and annotated further reading at the end of each chapter, Embodied Cognition, Second Edition is essential reading for all students of philosophy of mind, psychology, and cognitive science.
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“Embodied cognition emphasizes how cognitive processes are shaped by the physical body and its sensorimotor interactions with the world (Clark 1999; Shapiro 2019; Varela et al. 1991).”
From The myth of the Bayesian brain (2025) · cites this paper as Shapiro 2019
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The Argument from Neural Wiring
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The Argument from Early Development (1)
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Abstraction and the Allure of Illusory Explanation
Laurence, S., & Margolis, E. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191925375.003.0005
Laurence, S., & Margolis, E. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191925375.003.0018
Laurence, S., & Margolis, E. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191925375.003.0001
Laurence, S., & Margolis, E. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191925375.002.0007
Laurence, S., & Margolis, E. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191925375.003.0021
Laurence, S., & Margolis, E. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191925375.003.0027
The Argument from Initial Representational Access
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Laurence, S., & Margolis, E. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191925375.003.0020
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Laurence, S., & Margolis, E. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780191925375.003.0006
Fischer, P. (2024) · Interdisciplinary Science Reviews · doi:10.1177/03080188241256197
“…the notion, frequently associated with Descartes, that a person ’ s ‘ self ’ is separate and distinct from the body, is widespread in today ’ s discourse, in spite of recent research in the fi elds of ‘ embodied cognition ’ and ‘ 4E cognition ’ (see Shapiro 2019; Newen, De Bruin and Gallagher 2018).”
Embodied Cognition: Motor Imagery, Interoceptive Accuracy, and HypnotizabilityPreprint
Zelič, Ž., Malloggi, E., & Santarcangelo, E. L. (2024) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4958795
Beyond embodiment: Rethinking the integration of cognitive neuroscience and mechanistic explanations
Miłkowski, M., & Nowakowski, P. R. (2024) · Cognitive Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17588928.2024.2403350
“This diversity of perspectives can lead to unexpected challenges, even when embodied approaches seem convergent (e.g., Shapiro, 2019).”
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Лактіонова, А. (2024) · Filosofska dumka (Philosophical Thought) · doi:10.15407/fd2024.04.130
de Melo, A. B., Landeira-Fernández, J., & Krahe, T. E. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1462934
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Pointing gestures accelerate collaborative problem-solving on tangible user interfaces
Anastasiou, D., & Maquil, V. (2024) · Journal on Multimodal User Interfaces · doi:10.1007/s12193-024-00448-7
“In literature review, there are statements that gestures reduce cognitive load on TUIs, e.g. Park et al., [63], Shaer & Hornecker [67].”
Influential
Metadata
- Authors
- Shapiro, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Corresponding author
- Shapiro, Lawrence
- Venue
- Routledge eBooks
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Published
- 2019-05-07
- OpenAlex
- W4244539133
- Cited by
- 492
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 123 · 2025: 116 · 2024: 89 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 6
- FWCI
- 20.91
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Routledge eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
- Social Sciences › Linguistics and Language › Language, Metaphor, and Cognition
- Keywords
- embodied cognition, dynamical systems theory, ecological psychology, robotics, connectionism, mental representation, extended cognition, preference formation, emotions, philosophy of mind, Andy Clark, Alva Noë
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