Solutions to the Problem of Abstraction
Review and Criticism
- DOI
- 10.2991/assehr.k.211220.334How to use a DOI?
- Keywords
- Abstract Concepts; Embodied Simulation; Conceptual Metaphor; Action Approach; Situated Simulation
- Abstract
Under the structure of embodied cognition, this theory suggests that in human conceptualization, modality-specific areas such as the visual cortex are involved in understanding concepts. This indicates the role of bodily experience in conceptual processing, hence supporting the view that human cognition is embodied. However, abstract concepts posted a challenge for embodied cognition: as people cannot physically act upon abstract concepts such as love and grief, how can people conceptualize those concepts? Consequently, in this paper several possible approaches to this question are discussed: metaphor approach, action approach and situated simulation approach. Review of these approaches would be accompanied by evaluation of current researches, and further experimental suggestions would be given to better assess the validity of these proposals in establishing the embodiment of abstract concepts.
- Copyright
- © 2021 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL.
- Open Access
- This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.
Cite this article
TY - CONF AU - Jiahong Xu AU - Xiaolin Ou AU - Muhan Zhang PY - 2021 DA - 2021/12/24 TI - Solutions to the Problem of Abstraction BT - Proceedings of the 2021 4th International Conference on Humanities Education and Social Sciences (ICHESS 2021) PB - Atlantis Press SP - 1954 EP - 1958 SN - 2352-5398 UR - https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211220.334 DO - 10.2991/assehr.k.211220.334 ID - Xu2021 ER -