文档介绍：Minds and Machines (2005) 15:383–398 Ó Springer 2005
DOI -005-9003-1
The Epistemology and Ontology
of puter Interactionw
PHILIP BREY
Department of Philosophy, School of Behavioral Sciences, University of Twente, 7500, AE
Enschede, herlands; E-mail: .******@
Abstract. This paper analyzes epistemological and ontological dimensions of -
puter Interaction (HCI) through an analysis of the functions puter systems in relation
to their users. It is argued that the primary relation between humans puter systems
has historically been epistemic: computers are used as information-processing and problem-
solving tools that extend human cognition, thereby creating hybrid cognitive systems con-
sisting of a human processor and an artificial processor that process information in tandem. In
this role, computer systems extend human cognition. Next, it is argued that in recent years, the
epistemic relation between humans puters has been supplemented by an ontic rela-
tion. puter systems are able to simulate virtual and social environments that
extend the interactive possibilities found in the physical environment. This type of relationship
is primarily ontic, and extends to objects and places that have a virtual ontology. Increasingly,
computers are not just information devices, but portals to worlds that we inhabit. The
aforementioned epistemic and ontic relationships are unique to information technology and
distinguish puter relationships from other human-technology relationships.
Key words: cognitive artifacts, extended mind, puter interaction, social reality,
virtuality
1. Introduction
What kind of tool is puter? What is the functional relationship that we
have to it? This question has always been difficult to answer because the
computer is such a versatile tool. Computers have been called universal
machines, machines that can execute an indefinite amount of different
functions, and that can therefore function as very different to