Keeping track with things

Richard Menary*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    8 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The chapter begins with an evolutionary account of tracking systems, from simple detection systems to complex decoupled and highly flexible tracking systems. The important mediator is the role of the environment in providing the complexity, translucency, and hostility that produces the evolutionary pressures that result in more complex tracking systems. An evolutionary platform is provided for how modern humans could have come to innovate epistemic tracking tools (ETTs) for keeping track of salient features of the environment. Three examples of ETTs in action are given, ranging from highly iconic and contextual learning tools–such as the Mattang–to highly abstract and decoupled conventional symbol systems. Finally, it is argued that ETTs are compatible with a responsibilist-reliabilism since their correct deployment requires epistemic diligence and the reliable functioning of the tool itself. As such, a framework for understanding and exploring how we keep track with things has been given.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationExtended epistemology
    EditorsJ. Adam Carter, Andy Clark, Jesper Kallestrup, S. Orestis Palermos, Duncan Pritchard
    Place of PublicationLondon ; New York
    PublisherOxford University Press
    Pages305-330
    Number of pages26
    ISBN (Electronic)9780192555762
    ISBN (Print)9780198769811
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2018

    Keywords

    • Epistemic tracking
    • Epistemology
    • Evolution
    • Mattang
    • Tracking systems

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