Colin Allen (University of Pittsburgh)
Advocates of non-representationalist models of cognition frequently tout their extension to organisms traditionally regarded as unminded or noncognitive. They bring at least two kinds of considerations to bear. One set is empirical: traditionally non-minded organisms (TNMOs) are more complex and more similar to TMOs (traditionally minded organisms) than previously recognized. The other set is theoretical: the lines traditionally drawn between TMOs and TNMOs depend on questionable, anthropocentric, (neo-)Cartesian assumptions. I will survey the options and assess whether stepping away from representationalism inexorably leads to the conclusion that plants really have minds and bacteria are cognitive systems.
