Minds in the metaverse: extended Cognition meets mixed reality
Minds in the metaverse: extended Cognition meets mixed reality
Examples of extended cognition typically involve the use of technologically low-grade bio-external resources (e.g., the use of pen and paper to solve long multiplication problems). The present paper describes a putative case of extended cognizing based around a technologically-advanced mixed reality device, namely, the Microsoft HoloLens. The case is evaluated from the standpoint of a mechanistic perspective. In particular, it is suggested that a combination of organismic (e.g., the human individual) and extra-organismic (e.g., the HoloLens) resources form part of a common mechanism that realizes a bona fide cognitive routine. In addition to demonstrating how the theoretical resources of neo-mechanical philosophy might be used to evaluate extended cognitive systems, the present paper illustrates one of the ways in which mixed reality devices, virtual objects (i.e., holograms), and online (Internet-accessible) computational routines might be incorporated into human cognitive processes. This, it is suggested, speaks to the recent interest in mixed/virtual reality technologies across a number of disciplines. It also introduces us to issues that cross-cut disparate fields of philosophical research, such as the philosophy of science and the philosophy of technology.
Extended cognition, HoloLens, Mechanism, Mechanistic explanation, Mixed reality, Virtual reality
1–29
Smart, Paul
cd8a3dbf-d963-4009-80fb-76ecc93579df
December 2022
Smart, Paul
cd8a3dbf-d963-4009-80fb-76ecc93579df
Smart, Paul
(2022)
Minds in the metaverse: extended Cognition meets mixed reality.
Philosophy & Technology, 35 (4), , [87].
(doi:10.1007/s13347-022-00580-w).
Abstract
Examples of extended cognition typically involve the use of technologically low-grade bio-external resources (e.g., the use of pen and paper to solve long multiplication problems). The present paper describes a putative case of extended cognizing based around a technologically-advanced mixed reality device, namely, the Microsoft HoloLens. The case is evaluated from the standpoint of a mechanistic perspective. In particular, it is suggested that a combination of organismic (e.g., the human individual) and extra-organismic (e.g., the HoloLens) resources form part of a common mechanism that realizes a bona fide cognitive routine. In addition to demonstrating how the theoretical resources of neo-mechanical philosophy might be used to evaluate extended cognitive systems, the present paper illustrates one of the ways in which mixed reality devices, virtual objects (i.e., holograms), and online (Internet-accessible) computational routines might be incorporated into human cognitive processes. This, it is suggested, speaks to the recent interest in mixed/virtual reality technologies across a number of disciplines. It also introduces us to issues that cross-cut disparate fields of philosophical research, such as the philosophy of science and the philosophy of technology.
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Minds in the Metaverse
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 22 August 2022
e-pub ahead of print date: 22 September 2022
Published date: December 2022
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
This work is supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the PETRAS National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity under Grant Number EP/S035362/1.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
Keywords:
Extended cognition, HoloLens, Mechanism, Mechanistic explanation, Mixed reality, Virtual reality
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 470605
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/470605
ISSN: 2210-5433
PURE UUID: 179c28b0-fd03-46f8-a3d5-1df28eb855ab
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Date deposited: 14 Oct 2022 16:35
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 02:56
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Paul Smart
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