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

Roy F. Baumeister; Kathleen D. Vohs

doi:10.1017/S0140525X02230125

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

Roy F. Baumeister, Kathleen D. Vohs

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Abstract

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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	675-676
Number of pages	2
Journal	Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Volume	25
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X02230125
State	Published - Dec 2002

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Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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abstract = "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.",

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AB - 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.

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

Abstract

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