Question

I have dedicated considerable time to pondering language evolution and the intriguing question of how humans might have developed language. Delving into the depths of historical knowledge, I contemplate the gradual emergence of spoken language and attempt to trace its evolution from basic sound making to sophisticated word creation.

One fundamental assumption I've made is that proto-humans likely had conceptual clarity before mapping those concepts to speech or written symbols like words (English/Greek/Latin) or logograms (Chinese). This raises the intriguing question of how one can have clear mental concepts without words.

I envision a scenario akin to artificial intelligence or machine learning, with billions of nodes and connections, capable of recognizing patterns but lacking the distilled clarity of concepts. While recognizing a piece of fruit doesn't necessarily imply a clear concept, it might be a product of statistical pattern recognition rather than a discrete symbol.

The challenge lies in understanding how proto-humans, or even animals like chimpanzees, could have clear, distinct mental concepts without words. Could they have a mental concept for nest or branch strength, or are they relying solely on machine learning and pattern recognition?

Considering the limitations of statistical feelings and vague concept maps, I wonder about the feasibility of storing 4,000 distinct concepts in the brain without words. This arbitrary number stems from my exploration of constructed languages based on English and Chinese.

Additionally, I reflect on the nature of concepts and question their metaphysical existence. The belief in concepts shaping mental representations is scrutinized, and the metaphorical nature of a language of thought is emphasized. The idea that concepts are necessary for mental representations is challenged, viewing them more as linguistic tools than concrete entities.

As I explore these intricate questions, I am reminded of Tomasello's account of shared intentionality as an evolutionary strategy in the Origins of Human Communication. I am cautious not to reinvent the wheel and consider empirical analyses before delving into metaphysical speculations.

In conclusion, the interplay between language, concepts, and mental representations remains a fascinating and complex topic, inviting us to rethink established notions and explore the nuances of how we perceive and articulate our thoughts.

Answer 1

Proto-humans and animals like chimpanzees could have clear, distinct mental concepts without words by relying on machine learning and pattern recognition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question explores the intriguing question of how proto-humans and animals like chimpanzees could have clear, distinct mental concepts without words. Proto-humans likely had conceptual clarity before mapping those concepts to speech or written symbols. They might have relied on machine learning and pattern recognition to recognize and understand concepts like fruit, nest, or branch strength. While statistical pattern recognition doesn't imply a clear concept, it is possible that proto-humans used these patterns to form mental representations.