On the Significance of Biogenic Approach in Comparative Cognition

Comparative cognition is an interdisciplinary field of animal behavior, inherently premised on varying foundational perspectives, whether researchers acknowledge it or not. The distinction between anthropogenic and biogenic approaches serves as a useful framework for categorizing the two primary starting points in cognitive research. Based on these classifications, it becomes evident that comparative cognition research incorporates elements of both approaches. Upon reviewing empirical research of comparative cognition, it can be observed that comparative cognition tends to be biased towards the anthropogenic approach. While we do not advocate for abandoning the anthropogenic approach, we propose that embracing the biogenic approach offers substantial advantages. These advantages include not only practical benefits such as increased empirical research productivity but also significant intellectual gains. Although the biogenic approach does not imply a commitment to a specific philosophy, it shares a high degree of affinity with embodied cognition. We, thus, further suggest that the biogenic approach to comparative cognition can effectively align with the recent trends in Ecological Psychology and Enactivism. Such a shift in approach has the potential to reshape the formulation of research questions and influence the underlying ontological commitments driving the research.