How is the mind/brain composed? Two sorts of mechanisms in cognitive science

Are modules of the mind mechanisms? What role does the New Mechanistic philosophy of science play in describing the architecture of the mind/brain? In this paper, I answer both questions. I argue that cognitive science uses two types of account: those targeting mechanisms-as-systems (“modules of the mind”) and those targeting mechanisms-as-causings. These types have quite different metaphysical implications and should not be conflated. Examples of the face-recognition system and mechanisms for placebo analgesia illustrate the differences. For partial explanations in cognitive science, I recommend using a minimal notion of mechanism. Last, I argue we ought to be treating the New Mechanistic philosophy as a toolbox.