Why are we (at least sometimes) conscious of our thoughts? [or: Why do we think in words (sometimes)?]

Benny Shanon*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The two questions that constitute the title of the paper are examined in the context of thought sequences, i.e., progressions of phrase-like expressions that spontaneously run through people’s minds. The analysis of a corpus of such sequences suggests that the articulation of thought in language affords fluidity that makes novelty possible. The articulation makes control possible, it lends momentum to thought, it presents alternative avenues for the further progression of thought, it renders thought into an activity akin to action in the real world, and it results in objectivization that provides compartmentalization and reflection. While the discussion focuses on the medium of language, it is noted that similar patterns hold with other media of articulation, both in natural cognition and in the arts. General implications are proposed and discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-49
Number of pages25
JournalPragmatics and Cognition
Volume1
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Why are we (at least sometimes) conscious of our thoughts? [or: Why do we think in words (sometimes)?]'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this