more from Daniel C. Dennett

Single Idea 2524

[catalogued under 18. Thought / B. Mechanics of Thought / 4. Language of Thought]

Full Idea

Postulating a language of thought is a postponement of the central problems of content ascription, not a necessary first step.

Gist of Idea

A language of thought doesn't explain content

Source

Daniel C. Dennett (Brainchildren [1998], Ch.25)

Book Reference

Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Brainchildren' [Penguin 1998], p.363


A Reaction

If the idea of content is built on the idea of representation, then you need some account of what the brain does with its representations.

Related Idea

Idea 2483 Mentalese doesn't require a theory of meaning [Fodor]