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Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Perspectives on Neuroscience
Published on: July 31, 2007
Cognitive Science Is and Should Be Pluralistic
1Department of Psychology, Northwestern University.
Abstract:
Núñez et al (2019) argue (1) that the field of Cognitive Science has failed, in that it has not arrived at a cohesive theory, and (2) that this is contrary to the intentions of the founders. Their survey of publication and citation patterns bears out the lack of a cohesive theory and also provides corroboration for (3) the concern that the field is becoming unbalanced, with psychology overweighted (Gentner, 2010). I will argue against points (1) and (2), but agree with point (3). My central claim is that cognitive science was never meant to have one unified theoretical framework, nor should it have.
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