Enactive theorists do it on purpose: on why the enactive approach demands an account of goals and goal-directedness.

Abstract

The enactive approach to cognitive science involves frequent references to “action” without making clear what is intended by the term. In particular, no definition or account is offered of goals which can encompass not just descriptions of biological maintenance, but the range of social and cultural activities in which human beings continual engage. The present paper briefly surveys some of references to goals and goal-directedness in the cognitive scientific literature in an attempt draw out an account which might successfully fill this gap in theory. Finding no easy answer, some suggestions are made as to how such a theory might be developed in the future.