The dialogically extended mind: Language as skilful intersubjective engagement

Abstract

A growing conceptual and empirical literature is advancing the idea that language extends our cognitive skills. One of the most influential positions holds that language -qua material symbols -facilitates individual thought processes by virtue of its material properties (Clark, 2006a). Extending upon this model, we argue that language enhances our cognitive capabilities in a much more radical way: the skilful engagement of public material symbols facilitates evolutionarily unprecedented modes of collective perception, action and reasoning (interpersonal synergies) creating dialogically extended minds. We relate our approach to other ideas about collective minds (Gallagher, 2011;Theiner, Allen, & Goldstone, 2010;Tollefsen, 2006) and review a number of empirical studies to identify the mechanisms enabling the constitution of interpersonal cognitive systems.

Environmental constraints shaping constituent order in emerging communication systems: Structural iconicity, interactive alignment and conventionalization

“…Rather than being an independent and closed system, we argue that language structure is intimately intertwined with its social and functional role in human life (Evans & Levinson, 2009;Tomasello, 2008). Language is first and foremost used to coordinate joint action and to communicate about the world: we share experiences, coordinate action, instruct each other, tell stories, gossip, make declarations and maintain social relations (Clark, 1996;Fusaroli, Gangopadhyay, & Tylén, 2014;Tylén, Weed, Wallentin, Roepstorff, & Frith, 2010). Consequently, language is continuously shaped by external constraints, such as structure in the external world as well as social dynamics (Bergmann, Dale, & Lupyan, 2013;Dale, Fusaroli, Duran, & Richardson, 2013;Tylén et al, 2013).…”

Rethinking situated and embodied social psychology

“…Although Hutto and Myin (2013) do not give a satisfactory explanation of the nature of non-basic cognition, we think there are currently several interesting perspectives that might aid in the development thereof (e.g., Clark, 2008;Fusaroli, Gangopadhyay, & Tylén, 2013).…”

Distributed Language and Dialogism: notes on non-locality, sense-making and interactivity

“…explanations, diagnoses, hospital charts), but above all in lines of action that to a very high degree shape the therapeutic interventions offered (Pedersen, 2010(Pedersen, , 2012Pedersen and Steffensen, 2014). On a more general level, such an approach makes it possible to investigate, how embodied and vocal activities constrain and enable specific forms of cognitive coordination (Fusaroli et al, 2013;Fusaroli and Tylén, 2012;Tylén et al, 2010). So while I have the deepest admiration for Linell's contribution to the scientific understanding of human sense-making, I regard the general program as too narrowly defined.…”