consciousness and language

[pixel01]

Hi all,

As I know, we think by language. So before language appeared, how could human beings think?

Thanks

[jostpuur]

By having simpler thoughts. :smile:

Certainly dogs think too, even though they don't have sophisticated language like humans have. But they don't think about very complicated things.

[Q_Goest]

Language is a symbol manipulation system. Words are symbols which represent some structure, action, or other idea within the mind. I believe it was Dennett who said that the ability to think in terms of symbols was a crucial evolutionary step that differentiates humans from other animals and allowed us develop the society we have.

[pixel01]

Language is a symbol manipulation system. Words are symbols which represent some structure, action, or other idea within the mind. I believe it was Dennett who said that the ability to think in terms of symbols was a crucial evolutionary step that differentiates humans from other animals and allowed us develop the society we have.

I am trying think of doing something simple without using words. It seems possible though quite hard.
Thank you both.

[waht]

I am trying think of doing something simple without using words. It seems possible though quite hard.
Thank you both.

How about riding a bicycle? Subconscious is doing all the work for you, (not sure if subconscious mind is still accepted by psychologists), but at least you aren't aware of the steps your mind takes to keep you in balance.

Or can you visualize a circle in your mind and enlarge it? Do you need language to do that?

[Ivan Seeking]

Without the need for words, I can think through the actions of performing a manual task; I can imagine driving to a specific location; I can imagine scenarios and outcomes viewed as an observer; I can imagine pictures in sequence that tell a story.

You seem to mean that it is hard to think thoughts that require language, without using language. :biggrin:

[Evo]

Language is not necessary to think. I know there are books out there that say differently. Hogwash. I can think in pictures. I can think in forms or colors or sound, even in emotions. I do not need a spoken or written language.

[paledim]

it seems that there are 2 types of thinking. one is active and another passive. because the question was ..."how could humans think?" the process of absorbing information like take a baby for instance. their minds are so new that colors, shapes, scents etc... are making them think. they are "wondering" and curious of what it is. once they experience the object, by touch smell etc... and a few attempts, the mind "remembers" (how I don't know exactly), but it does. Later, the baby combines 2 objects and learns relationships and relativity. So even as babies we learn the most complex things (applications etc...), but later in life we study and postulize with reasoning (mathematics, physics).

Which would be the active thinking.
learning could be a passive thinking and applying could be active.