more from Jerry A. Fodor

Single Idea 2487

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

Full Idea

I don't think it is true that all thought is in Mentalese. It is quite likely (e.g. in arithmetic algorithms) that Mentalese co-opts bits of natural language.

Gist of Idea

Mentalese may also incorporate some natural language

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (In a Critical Condition [2000], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'In Critical Condition' [MIT 2000], p.72


A Reaction

Presumably language itself would have to be coded in mentalese. If there is some other way for thought to work, the whole mind could use it, and skip mentalese.