Representation, Enaction, Religion. Different Models of Cognition and Their Implications for the Cognitive Study of Religions

Matylda Ciołkosz

Titles

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to consider the implications of applying the enactive approach to cognition within the study of religions. This approach is discussed as an alternative to the classical, cognitivist stance predominant among the proponents of cognitive science of religion (CSR). The most popular model within CSR is that of cognition as manipulation of concepts. The key assumptions of this model limit the understanding of religion to a system of beliefs. Applying an alternative model – of cognition as enaction – may contribute to creating a more comprehensive model of religion, taking into consideration its pre-conceptual origins. Using the category of representation as the departure point, the author juxtaposes the cognitivist and the enactive stance, showing how substituting the former with the latter necessarily changes the construal of religious activity and thinking.

Keywords

cognitive science of religion, enactivism, embodied cognition, representationism, ritual, religions of India ; religioznawstwo kognitywne, enaktywizm, poznanie ucieleśnione, reprezentacjonizm, rytuał, religie Indii

cognitive science of religion, enactivism, embodied cognition, representationism, ritual, religions of India

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Information

Information: Studia Religiologica, 2017, Volume 50 Issue 2, pp. 131 - 143

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4467/20844077SR.17.008.7339

Article type: Original article

Titles:

Polish:

Representation, Enaction, Religion. Different Models of Cognition and Their Implications for the Cognitive Study of Religions

English:

Representation, Enaction, Religion. Different Models of Cognition and Their Implications for the Cognitive Study of Religions

Authors

Matylda Ciołkosz

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8168-4859

Institute for the Study of Religions, Jagiellonian University, Grodzka 52 31-044 Kraków

Published at: 30.11.2017

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Percentage share of authors:

Matylda Ciołkosz (Author) - 100%

Article corrections:

-

Publication languages:

English

View count: 1668

Number of downloads: 1247

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