Non-Inferential Transitions: Imagery and Association

In Timothy Chan & Anders Nes (eds.), Inference and Consciousness. New York, NY, USA: (forthcoming)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Unconscious logical inference seems to rely on the syntactic structures of mental representations (Quilty-Dunn & Mandelbaum 2018). Other transitions, such as transitions using iconic representations and associative transitions, are harder to assimilate to syntax-based theories. Here we tackle these difficulties head on in the interest of a fuller taxonomy of mental transitions. Along the way we discuss how icons can be compositional without having constituent structure, and expand and defend the “symmetry condition” on Associationism (the idea that associative links and transitions are perfectly symmetric). In the end, we show how a BIT (“bare inferential transition”) theory can cohabitate with these other non-inferential mental transitions.

Author Profiles

Eric Mandelbaum
CUNY Graduate Center
Jake Quilty-Dunn
Rutgers - New Brunswick

Analytics

Added to PP
2019-10-17

Downloads
542 (#27,329)

6 months
104 (#32,393)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?