Definitionv1
Epistemic action: a type of action that changes the world in
Epistemic action: a type of action that changes the world in order to simplify a cognitive task, thereby enabling more efficient thinking rather than simply moving physically closer to a goal
Why This Is a Definition
This definition clearly establishes epistemic action as a distinct category of action that serves cognitive purposes rather than pragmatic ones. It names the term, states its genus (type of action), and provides distinguishing differentia (changes world to simplify cognitive task vs. moves physically closer to goal). The definition is precise enough to distinguish it from pragmatic action and appears as a key conceptual framework in the lesson.