Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-s22k5 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-02-06T04:50:32.582Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The collective invention of language to access the universe of possible ideas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2003

Roy F. Baumeister  and
Kathleen D. Vohs
Roy F. Baumeister
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270 rfb2@po.cwru.edu
Kathleen D. Vohs
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0251 kathleen.vohs@psych.utah.edu
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Thought uses meaning but not necessarily language. Meaning, in the form of a set of possible concepts and ideas, is a nonphysical reality that lay waiting for brains to become smart enough to represent these ideas. Thus, the brain evolved, whereas meaning was discovered, and language was invented – collectively – as a tool to help the brain use meaning.

Type
Brief Report
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 25 , Issue 6 , December 2002 , pp. 675 - 676
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press