Embodying Bounded Rationality: From Embodied Bounded Rationality to Embodied Rationality.

Enrico Petracca

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.710607

Abstract

Views of embodied cognition vary in degree of radicalism. The goal of this article is to explore how the range of moderate and radical views of embodied cognition can inform new approaches to rationality. In this exploration, Herbert Simon's bounded rationality is taken for its complete disembodiedness as a reference base against which to measure the increasing embodied content of new approaches to rationality. We use the label “embodied bounded rationality” to explore how moderate embodiment can reform Simon's bounded rationality while, on the opposite side of the embodied spectrum, the label “embodied rationality” is employed to explore how radical embodiment can more deeply transform the idea of what is rational. In between the two poles, the labels “body rationality” and “extended rationality” are introduced to explore how also intermediate embodiment can fruitfully inform the research on rationality.

Highlights

This closer look at Simon is useful if we want to discuss embodied representations
They are arranged according to four criteria: degree of embodied radicalism, adherence to adaptationism as normative framework, reliance on mental representations, and view of heuristics
While embodied bounded rationality and body rationality fundamentally retain Simon’s adaptationist framework9, extended rationality seems more compatible with normative constructivism, which considers agents playing an active role in establishing normative standards through environmental manipulations

Summary

Enrico Petracca*

The goal of this article is to explore how the range of moderate and radical views of embodied cognition can inform new approaches to rationality. In this exploration, Herbert Simon’s bounded rationality is taken for its complete disembodiedness as a reference base against which to measure the increasing embodied content of new approaches to rationality. The research program called “embodied bounded rationality” (Gallese et al, 2020) has chosen to stand on the strong shoulders of Herbert Simon’s bounded rationality from the very name This choice has compelling reasons worthy of being mentioned.

Embodying Bounded Rationality

From Abstract to Embodied Representations

Embodied Moderatism and the Definition of Bounded Rationality

Three Challenges for Embodied Rationality

Moderate Intermediate Intermediate Radical

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION