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.

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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  -