Extended Consciousness and Predictive Processing: A Third Wave View

Kirchhoff and Kiverstein argue that phenomenal consciousness is realized by more than just the brain, and that the mechanisms and processes that realize it can extend across the brain, body, and the social, material, and cultural world. They propose that predictive processing can be given a new reading as part of a third-wave account of the extended mind, which claims that the boundaries of mind are not fixed and stable but fragile and hard-won and always open to negotiation. This view of phenomenal consciousness as partially realized by patterns of cultural practice finds support in predictive processing.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In this captivating joint publication, Kirchhoff and Kiverstein take a bold stance by asserting that phenomenal consciousness transcends the confines of the brain alone. They contend that the mechanisms and processes that give rise to phenomenal consciousness can occasionally extend beyond the boundaries of the brain, encompassing the realms of the body, the social, the material, and the cultural. Through a comprehensive exploration of the current arguments for and against extended consciousness, Kirchhoff and Kiverstein aim to captivate readers and convince them of the viability of the thesis through the increasingly influential predictive processing theory developed in cognitive neuroscience.

They demonstrate how predictive processing can be reinterpreted as a crucial component of a third-wave account of the extended mind. This third-wave perspective challenges the notion of fixed and stable boundaries of mind, instead suggesting that they are fluid, fragile, and subject to ongoing negotiation. It questions the traditional distinction between the biological and the social and cultural when considering the boundaries of the mind. Kirchhoff and Kiverstein elucidate how this perspective finds support within predictive processing, ultimately leading them to a profound understanding of phenomenal consciousness as partially realized through the intricate patterns of cultural practice.

This thought-provoking work invites readers to embark on a transformative journey, challenging their preconceived notions and expanding their horizons. It sheds light on the intricate interplay between the mind, the body, and the broader cultural context, offering a fresh perspective on the nature of consciousness and its realization. By delving into the complexities of predictive processing and the third-wave account of the extended mind, Kirchhoff and Kiverstein provide a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on the boundaries of consciousness and the potential for expanded understanding.

Weight: 186g
Dimension: 136 x 216 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032570198