Cognition and tool use

Authors
Citation
B. Preston, Cognition and tool use, MIND LANG, 13(4), 1998, pp. 513-547
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
MIND & LANGUAGE
ISSN journal
02681064 → ACNP
Volume
13
Issue
4
Year of publication
1998
Pages
513 - 547
Database
ISI
SICI code
0268-1064(199812)13:4<513:CATU>2.0.ZU;2-D
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 equipm ent provides a more adequate theoretical framework. But Heidegger's account leads directly to a non-individualist view of the nature of cognition. Thu s non-individualism is supported by concrete considerations about the natur e of tools and tool use.