Non-local Aspects of Cognition
Journal of Consciousness Studies June 1, 2026 Pierre Uzan
Cognition may extend beyond the individual mind and beyond spatiotemporal locality. The article first reviews established externalist views—extended mind, distributed cognition, and multiscale enaction—that challenge the idea that cognition is solely internal to a subject. It then examines a more controversial non-local dimension: extrasensory perception (ESP). The reality of ESP is suggested by non-reductive theories of consciousness and supported by significant experimental results, with historical roots including references in the Yoga Sutra. The article presents experimental tests and theoretical modeling for ESP, discusses why the scientific community generally rejects it despite evidence, and argues that this rigorous field deserves attention in cognitive science.