The Language of Thought
Submitted by mwilliams on Sun, 2007-09-16 16:46.Stephen Pinker, in Language as a Window Into Human Nature, says humans are verbivores—that is, we live on words—and linguistics reveals hidden operations of the mind. “...words determine our reality, or at least a large part of it. Semantics is no arcane intellectual quibble; it lies at the core of our existence”, says Pinker. Thought-provoking stuff.
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Good, good, GOOD! I love this stuff! Cognitive science rocks!
Further recommended reading: Metaphors We Live By by Lakoff and Johnson. It's a crash course into one of the most influential strains of thought in modern cognitive linguistics and semantics.
These ideas aren't as alien as you may think, and not particularly unconventional if you're "in it". Sadly, not many writers and people who use language in its many modes in their work daily reflect over these things, they just take it for granted. I've tried never to take reality for granted. Watching a starry sky amazes me as much now as it did as a kid. There's something wonderful everywhere and in everything and especially in the whys of reality and of our own minds.
Some linguists have gone as far as arguing for language as the operating system of the brain. Noam Chomsky is on this line and it's one of the ideas used in the book Snowcrash (by Neal Stephenson), which I highly recommend. Science fiction and linguistics in one awesome blend!
I could talk for ages about this... perception, human cognition, what is the meaning of meaning, how our mental images map into the real world, the role of language in human cognition and culture, how mental concepts determine our understanding of relationships between external objects and on and on... but I'll just treat you people with bits big enough to chew. It's just so *interesting* :)
Well, there are some writers and people who use language who have actually studied semantics, psychology and philosophy and do have a bit of a handle on the 'alien' concepts of cognitive science. ;) And you're right, it is fascinating stuff.
I'm with you on never taking reality for granted. It's good that you know enough not to. I mean, most people need a near-death experience before they really clue in. You should see the night sky where I live. I can spend hours staring up and ruminating on the whys and wherefores. Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?
There is no thief like a bad book
--Italian Proverb
Ah damn... I wrote a lengthy reply and lost it. So here's a summary:
I probably shouldn't generalize but I've met so many people who have no concept of these things that I'm getting jaded. :)
I've seen the Northern Lights, many times. Last time was ten years ago back when I lived in the northern part of Sweden.
Lol...I'm just ribbing you, Jakob. I know where you're coming from.
The lights are really something to inspire thoughts of where and why, eh? Depending on where you are, they can be overwhelmingly huge across the sky...makes one feel so small...makes one's mind feel the need to ponder the connections of things.
There is no thief like a bad book
--Italian Proverb