Cognition and Tool Use

Author: Preston, Beth

Source: Mind & Language, Volume 13, Number 4, December 1998 , pp. 513-547(35)

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Abstract:

Tool use rivals language as an important domain of cognitive phenomena, and so as a source of insight into the nature of cognition in general. But the favoured current definition of tool use is inadequate because it does not carve the phenomena of interest at the joints. Heidegger's notion of equipment provides a more adequate theoretical framework. But Heidegger's account leads directly to a non-individualist view of the nature of cognition. Thus non-individualism is supported by concrete considerations about the nature of tools and tool use.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1468-0017.00090

Affiliations: 1: Philosophy Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-1627, USA.

Publication date: 1998-12-01