Ambivalent Tolman: indirect influence on enactivism of Tolman’s sign-Gestaltism through Merleau-Ponty
PsyArXiv June 9, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/634uz_v1
Summary
The paper argues that Edward Tolman's sign-Gestalt theory indirectly shaped the development of enactivism through Maurice Merleau-Ponty's interpretation of Tolman's work. It traces how Merleau-Ponty engaged with Tolman's ideas about intentionality and meaning in behavior, which then influenced the phenomenological and embodied approach central to enactivism. The analysis highlights a philosophical lineage often overlooked in cognitive science.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Tolman's sign-Gestaltism indirectly influenced enactivism via Merleau-Ponty's philosophical engagement with Tolman's work. |
Abstract
Ambivalent Tolman: indirect influence on enactivism of Tolman’s sign-Gestaltism through Merleau-Ponty