Transition from Classical Cognition to 4E Cognition: A Study of Theoretical Developments in the Third Revolution of Cognitive Sciences
Journal of Philosophical Investigations November 30, 2025 Tayyebeh Gholami, Hassan Hosseini-Sarvari
Cognitive science has undergone three major revolutions since the mid-20th century. Classical cognitivism, which relies on computational representation and symbolic processing, struggles to explain interactions between mind, body, and environment. The 4E approach—embodied, embedded, enacted, and extended—views cognition as dynamic, situated, and interactive, emphasizing the role of the body, tools, and environmental context. Integrating classical views with the 4E perspective may guide future research toward a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary framework, though methodological and operational challenges persist.