Extended active inference: Constructing predictive cognition beyond skulls. (2nd December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Constant, Axel; Clark, Andy; Kirchhoff, Michael; Friston, Karl J.
• Is Part Of: Mind & language. Volume 37:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 373
• Page End: 394
• Publication Date: 2020-12-02
• Subjects: active inference -- affordances -- cognitive niche construction -- ecological psychology -- extended mind -- predictive processing; Psycholinguistics -- Periodicals; Thought and thinking -- Periodicals; Language and languages -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; 153.42
• DOI: 10.1111/mila.12330
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-1064

Abstract

Abstract : Cognitive niche construction is the process whereby organisms create and maintain cause–effect models of their niche as guides for fitness influencing behavior. Extended mind theory claims that cognitive processes extend beyond the brain to include predictable states of the world. Active inference and predictive processing in cognitive science assume that organisms embody predictive (i.e., generative) models of the world optimized by standard cognitive functions (e.g., perception, action, learning). This paper presents an active inference formulation that views cognitive niche construction as a cognitive function aimed at optimizing organisms' generative models. We call that process of optimization extended active inference.