Language as a mechanism for reasoning about possibilities.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci

Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, University of Toronto, 252 Bloor Street, West Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1V6.

Published: December 2022

The ability to entertain and reflect on possibilities is a crucial component of human reasoning. However, the origin of this reasoning-whether it is language-based or not-is highly debated. We contribute to this debate by investigating the relation between language and thought in the domain of possibility from a developmental perspective. Our investigation focuses on disjunctive syllogism, a specific type of possibility reasoning that has been explored extensively in the developmental literature and has clear linguistic correlates. Seeking links between conceptual and linguistic representations, we review evidence on how children reason by the disjunctive syllogism and how they acquire logical and modal language. We sketch a proposal for how language and thought interact during development. This article is part of the theme issue 'Thinking about possibilities: mechanisms, ontogeny, functions and phylogeny'.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9620752PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0334DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

language thought
8
disjunctive syllogism
8
language
4
language mechanism
4
mechanism reasoning
4
reasoning possibilities
4
possibilities ability
4
ability entertain
4
entertain reflect
4
reflect possibilities
4

Similar Publications

Although a large body of work has explored the mechanisms underlying metaphor comprehension, less research has focused on spontaneous metaphor production. Previous research suggests that reasoning about analogies can induce a relational mindset, which causes a greater focus on underlying abstract similarities. We explored how inducing a relational mindset may increase the tendency to use metaphors to describe topics.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Clinical Manifestations.

Alzheimers Dement

December 2024

Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California in San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Background: Although frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with right anterior temporal lobe (RATL) predominance has been recognized as a separate FTD subtype, a uniform description of the syndrome is still missing. This multicenter study, led by an international working group (IWG), aims to establish a cohesive clinical phenotype and lay the groundwork for consensus on terminology and diagnostic standards.

Method: Retrospective clinical data were systematically collected across 18 dementia centers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ethical engagement with artificial intelligence in medical education.

Adv Physiol Educ

January 2025

Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Jharkhand - 814152, India.

The integration of large language models (LLMs) in medical education offers both opportunities and challenges. While these AI-driven tools can enhance access to information and support critical thinking, they also pose risks like potential overreliance and ethical concerns. To ensure ethical use, students and instructors must recognize the limitations of LLMs, maintain academic integrity, handle data cautiously, and instructors should prioritize content quality over AI detection methods.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

What Is Diagnostic Stewardship?

J Appl Lab Med

January 2025

Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.

Background: Diagnostic stewardship is a set of clinically based changes to the ordering, processing, and reporting of diagnostic tests designed to improve patient outcomes (through decreased inappropriate testing, and reduced patient harm from wrong, delayed, or missed diagnosis). It shares a common philosophy with laboratory stewardship but has some key differences.

Content: Laboratory stewardship focuses primarily on pre- and post-analytical components of the testing process.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Up to 20% of older adults in the United States have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and about one-third of people with MCI are predicted to transition to Alzheimer's disease (AD) within 5 years. Standard cognitive assessments are long and require a trained technician to administer. We developed the first computerized adaptive test (CAT) based on multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) to more precisely, rapidly, and repeatedly assesses cognitive abilities across the adult lifespan.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!