Making hands and tools: steps to a process archaeology of mind

Abstract

We can only understand what is it to be human by understanding the modes of human becoming. This paper looks at the creative aspect of human becoming taking hands and tools as the focus of reference. I advocate a process archaeology of mind where thinking is thinging. Human cognitive becoming is cast in terms of metaplasticity and creative material engagement. Humans are plastic creatures indeterminate and incomplete, or else, always about to become. Humans are also inextricably intertwined with the plasticity of forms that we make. I argue that hands and tools trans-act in the mindful handling of matter and that the mindful handling of matter is a condition for human becoming. Tools are made and used by the hands as much as hands are made and used by tools. Human intelligence is largely handmade.