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234555

Theoretical considerations on cognitive niche construction

Tommaso BertolottiLorenzo Magnani

pp. 4757-4779

Abstrakt

Cognitive niche theories consist in a theoretical framework that is proving extremely profitable in bridging evolutionary biology, philosophy, cognitive science, and anthropology by offering an inter-disciplinary ground, laden with novel approaches and debates. At the same time, cognitive niche theories are multiple, and differently related to niche theories in theoretical and evolutionary biology. The aim of this paper is to clarify the theoretical and epistemological relationships between cognitive and ecological niche theories. Also, by adopting a constructionist approach (namely by referring principally to ecological and cognitive niche construction theories) we will try to explain the shift from ecological to cognitive niches and their actual and theoretical overlaps. In order to do so, we will take two concepts expressing loose forms of causation in the interaction between organisms and their environment: the biological notion of “enablement” and the psycho-cognitive one of “affordance”.

Publication details

Published in:

Colombo Matteo, Gervais Raoul, Sprenger Jan (2017) Objectivity in science. Synthese 194 (12).

Seiten: 4757-4779

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-016-1165-2

Referenz:

Bertolotti Tommaso, Magnani Lorenzo (2017) „Theoretical considerations on cognitive niche construction“. Synthese 194 (12), 4757–4779.