Enactivism is a position in cognitive science:

Enactivism is a position in cognitive science:

Enactivism is indeed a position within cognitive science that emphasizes the active role of the body and its interactions with the environment in shaping cognition and consciousness. It challenges traditional cognitive theories that focus primarily on internal mental representations and information processing.

Enactivism emerged as a response to the shortcomings of computational and representational models of cognition, such as classical cognitivism and computationalism. These models often portrayed the mind as a passive receiver of information and neglected the embodied nature of human cognition.

Enactivists argue that cognition is not solely confined to the brain but is instead a product of the dynamic interaction between the brain, body, and the environment. They emphasize that perception and action are inseparable and that cognitive processes emerge from the ongoing coupling between an agent and its surroundings.

One of the influential figures in enactivism is Francisco Varela, who co-developed the concept of autopoiesis with Humberto Maturana. Autopoiesis refers to the self-organizing and self-maintaining nature of living systems, and it forms a foundational principle in enactivist thinking.

Enactivism also draws inspiration from phenomenology, a philosophical tradition that emphasizes the first-person experience and subjective nature of consciousness. By integrating phenomenological insights with empirical research, enactivism aims to provide a holistic understanding of cognition that includes both subjective experience and objective observations.

Overall, enactivism offers an alternative perspective on cognitive science by highlighting the embodied, situated, and relational aspects of cognition, challenging the traditional emphasis on mental representations and internal information processing.

Shervan K Shahhian