LINGUIST List 13.2580

Wed Oct 9 2002

Books: Cognitive Linguistics: Bartsch

Editor for this issue: Marisa Ferrara <marisalinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. paul, Consciousness Emerging, Bartsch

Title: Consciousness Emerging
Subtitle: The dynamics of perception, imagination, action, memory,
 thought, and language
Series Title: Advances in Consciousness Research
			
Publication Year: 2002
Publisher: John Benjamins
 http://www.benjamins.com/
 
Author: Renate Bartsch 

Paperback: ISBN: 1588111806, Pages: x, 258 pp., Price: USD 58.95
Paperback: ISBN: 9027251592, Pages: x, 258 pp., Price: EUR 65.00
			
Abstract:
			
This study of the workings of neural networks in perception and
understanding of situations and simple sentences shows that, and how,
distributed conceptual constituents are bound together in episodes
within an interactive/dynamic architecture of sensorial and pre-motor
maps, and maps of conceptual indicators (semantic memory) and
individuating indicators (historical, episodic memory). Activation
circuits between these maps make sensorial and pre-motor fields in the
brain function as episodic maps creating representations, which are
expressions in consciousness. It is argued that all consciousness is
episodic, consisting of situational or linguistic representations, and
that the mind is the whole of all conscious manifestations of the
brain. Thought occurs only in the form of linguistic or image
representations. The book also discusses the role of consciousness in
the relationship between causal and denotational semantics, and its
role for the possibility of representations ! and rules. Four recent
controversies in consciousness research are discussed and decided
along this model of consciousness:-- Is consciousness an internal or
external monitoring device of brain states?-- Do all conscious states
involve thought and judgement?-- Are there different kinds of
consciousness?-- Do we have a one-on-one correspondence between
certain brain states and conscious states. The book discusses also
the role of consciousness in the relationship between causal and
denotational semantics, and its role for the possibility of
representations and rules. (Series A)

Table of Contents:

Preface vii 

1. Consciousness and intentionality in perception, semantics,
 representations, and rules 1
2. Formal constraints on the relationship between understanding and
 Connectionist Neural Networks 75
3. An architecture of episodic and conceptual maps for understanding
 basic sentences and situations 129
4. Evaluation, thought, imagery, and language 165
5. Controversial issues in consciousness research 187 

Conclusion 237 
References 243 
Index 249
			
Lingfield(s): Cognitive Science

Written In: English (Language Code: English)