Language is primarily a tool for communication rather than thought (2024) [pdf]
6 comments
·November 28, 2025krackers
yyyk
It's clear humans have several networks working together. Some Mathematicians report they 'see' the solution, these rely on a visual network *. Others report they prefer to do math symbolically (relying on the language network?).
Perhaps there are also multiple human paths to higher-level thought, with Keller using the language facility while others don't have to.
* Given Box 1 contents, the article authors seem unaware of the research on this? e.g.
https://www.youcubed.org/resource/visual-mathematics/
https://www.hilarispublisher.com/open-access/seeing-as-under...
brianush1
One could make the argument that higher-level thought is not the same as awareness of higher-level thought; perhaps language only affords the latter.
uoaei
She learned "language" later than most. The primary function for her was as communication with the outside world, not for cognition, which she was already doing from birth.
netfortius
Excellent, comprehensive, extremely thorough work behind all this. Maturana would love it!
tug2024
[dead]
Doesn't hellen keller provide a counterexample? She seemed to imply pretty strongly that before acquisition of language she operated more on stimulus and bodily perception rather than higher-level thought.