NICHE CONSTRUCTION THEORY AND JOHN HAUGELAND

Abstract

This paper exposes the central ideas by Sterelny and Rouse regarding the niche construction theory and its explanation about the origin of intentionality, and then complement it with Haugeland’s disclosure and existential commitment notions. Both approaches can be linked if we assume that one offers a convincing explanation about the natural origin of intentionality, while the other (Haugeland) details the importance of normative rules “constitution”. By no means I propose that Haugeland can be completely assimilated with the niche construction theory or viceversa; I just highlight the similarities and propose complementarities.