Abstract
We propose an account of cognitive tools that takes into account the process of enculturation by which tools are integrated into our cognitive systems. Drawing on work in cultural evolution and developmental psychology, we argue that cognitive tools are complex entities consisting of physical objects, representational systems, and cognitive practices for the physical manipulation of the tool. We use an extensive case study of spatial navigation to demonstrate the core claims. The account we provide is contrasted with conceptions of cognitive tools that simplify cognition, in particular that they offload cognitive work, or that the tools themselves are temporary developmental scaffolds or props. Enculturation results in transformed cognitive systems, and we can now think and act in new ways with cognitive tools.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 363-387 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | Topics in Cognitive Science |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 27 Feb 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright the Author(s) 2021. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.Keywords
- Cognitive integration
- Cognitive tools
- Enculturation
- Offloading
- Scaffolding
- Spatial cognition