L'identification des objets et celle des lieux sont-elles interdependantes ?
- Editor
- Jan 1, 2005
- 2 min read
Authors
Nicolas J. Bullot, Roberto Casati, Jerome Dokic
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to analyze a traditional philosophical thesis that has fundamental consequences for any study of the cognition ef space and objects. This thesis
relates our representations, at the level ef conceptual thought, of physical objects with our representations of the locations occupied by objects. It upholds the existence ef a two-waydependence between identifying physical objects and identifying locations, and is consequently called "the thesis of two-way dependence". We try to determine to what extent recent findings in the research field of object perception and spatial cognition could help refine the thesis. The interdisciplinary method that we promote emphasizes the mutual enrichment of the conceptual analyses conducted in philosophy and the empirical.ftndings brought forth by psychophysics and cognitive neuroscience. We start by expounding on the philosophical significance ef the thesis of two-way dependence. Then, we examine theories and empirical findings regarding the capacities ef topographic representation ef locations and deictic (or demonstrative) reference to objects, which seem to refute the thesis. Although the thesis ef two-way dependence may involve circularity at the conceptual level (the identification ef objects depending on that of locations and vice versa), our conclusion is that it remains valid at that very same level. The difficulties relating to circularity are overcome insofar as the identification ef objects and locations depends on the anchoring function specific to the direct access provided by deictic and topoaraphic abilities.
Reference
Bullot, N. J., Casati, R., Dokic, J. (2005). L'identification des objets et des lieux sont-elles interdépendantes? Agir dans l’espace (p. 13-32). Thinus-Blanc, C. and Bullier, J. (Eds). Paris, France: Maison des Sciences de l'Homme. DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/books.editionsmsh.7139.
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