A Peircean revision of the theory of extended mind

Abstract

This paper focuses on C. S. Peirce’s theory of mind. Although there are only a few studies on this subject, Peirce’s theory of mind has potential impacts even in the contemporary context. This paper considers C. F. Delaney’s arguments and agrees with him that Peirce’s theory can be construed as one going along with the ‘externalistic tradition’. Moreover, this paper reflects on the concept of the ‘extended mind’ proposed by A. Clark and D. Chalmers, and then argues that Peirce’s theory of mind may encourage a sort of ‘active externalism’ on which the concept of extended mind relies. The theory of extended mind, however, has a problem regarding the definition of self. On the other hand, Peirce’s theory could provide an insightful understanding of the concept of self that may be free from the problem that the theory of extended mind suffers. This paper thus concludes that Peirce’s theory of mind suggests an optimistic revision of the theory of extended mind.