Colloquium: "Iconicity and Mental Representation"

Abstract: Iconic representation is the form of representation characteristic of pictures, diagrams, maps, and 3D model, whereas symbolic representation is characteristic of languages, lexicons, and logical notations. This talk explores the foundations of mental iconic representation from a broadly teleosemantic perspective, in which representation is understood in terms of naturalistic functions to carry information. I distinguish two kinds of such informational functions—iconic and symbolic functions— along with corresponding consumer computations. In both cases, a state’s content is still grounded in its function to carry information, but the internal structures of these functions diverge, reflecting two very different evolutionary strategies for processing information.

The department and the PNP program coordinate regular colloquia, typically on Thursdays at 4pm. These represent a major part of the education experience in the department, and graduate students are expected to attend.