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Abstract concepts are a controversial and widely debated topic, especially within the theoretical discussion about the embodied vs symbolic nature of language and meaning.
Supported by an extensive body of empirical research, the embodied account of cognition argues that cognition (and therefore language) is tightly related to perceptual and motoric experience. However, the Achille heel of the embodied account of cognition is precisely the (still debated) nature, structure, processing, and modeling of abstract concepts. In particular: how does perceptual experience affect our understanding and semantic representation of abstract concepts (idea, theory, argument), which by definition lack perceptual referents?
This topic is investigated from different angles in our symposium, thanks to the special lectures provided by world class computer scientists and cognitive scientists. Join the debate in Amsterdam, Friday 18th November 2016.