Externalized memory in slime mould and the extended (non-neuronal) mind

The hypothesis of extended cognition (HEC) claims that the cognitive processes materially realise thinking are sometimes partially constituted by entities located external to an agent’s body in its local environment. We show how proponents HEC need not claim agent must have a central nervous system, or physically instantiate organised such way as play causal role equivalent brain if is be capable cognition. Focusing on case spatial memory, we make our argument taking close look at striking example Physarum Polycephalum plasmodium (i.e., slime mould) which uses self-produced non-living extracellular trails navigate will argue use externalized memory basal organisms like Moreover, it possible evolutionary precursor internal and recall animals thus demonstrating may emerged early history.