Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Symbolic communication: symbolic communication refers to the use of symbols to represent objects or ideas. It involves shared meanings and allows for abstract thought and complex cultural systems. See also Symbols, Signs, Signals, Signal language, Words, Language, Communication, Understanding, Information, Symbolic learning, Symbolic reference, Symbolic representation, Meaning._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Terrence W. Deacon on Symbolic Communication - Dictionary of Arguments
I 334 Symbolic communication/Deacon: there has never been a proto-language with simpler structures than e.g. the distinction between subject and predicate, which deals with symbols instead of pure indices at all. >Index/Deacon, >Symbol/Deacon. These forms were present from the very beginning, when symbolic communication was born. Deep structure: there are no characteristics for it so it that would be effective beyond language boundaries, such as sentence position, melody or specific words. >Deep structure, >N. Chomsky, >VsChomsky. It is therefore reasonable that Chomsky should withdraw from Darwinian explanation. I 335 Language/Brain/Deacon: the specific neuronal processes necessary to overcome the attention threshold depend on processes taking place in the prefrontal cortex. Here we have a common ground between individual brains and a point of attack for Baldwin's evolution. >Baldwin's Evolution, >Evolution/Deacon. I 353 Symbolic communication/evolution: symbolic communication has developed over 2 million years. It was not always the case that speaking is the essential part of everyday communication and the transmission of our language to children, as is the case today. >Communication, >Language development. I 354 Non-verbal communication may have been in competition with verbal communication for a long time. Cf. >Gestures, >Animals, >Animal language. I 362 Symbolic communication/gestures/articulation/language/Deacon: due to the untrained vocal abilities of early humans, early symbolic communication should not have been just a simpler language, but should differ from language in many ways. Some authors suspected that early language such as chains of words were without specific syntax or grammar. DeaconVs: paradoxically, the limitation of the vocal apparatus may have resulted in a greater complexity of earlier languages. >Syntax. I 363 A smaller repertoire of sound differences leads to longer chains. Such languages are then more prone to errors. In addition, the short-term memory is used to a greater extent. In order to avoid errors, an increased level of redundancy is likely to have been appropriate. >Redundancy. I 368 Language development: it is a common mistake to infer primitive language from the primitive use of tools of early peoples. It is also problematic to infer anything from the lack of evidence. I 370 While stone tools were similar in different regions of the world (their use was universal) the early symbolic communication of distant peoples will not have been similar to the same extent. I 372 Neanderthals had a fully developed modern brain from a neurological point of view. I 373 The main reason for the decline of former peoples were introduced diseases, not cultural inferiority. The rapid changes in the paleolithic age do not correspond to biological changes. >Extinction. I 378 Why has symbolic communication developed? It was useful for coordination in hunting, sharing knowledge about tool use and much more. But none of them can serve as an explanation, since it always requires a certain symbolic communication. The first beginnings were probably only a small part of social communication and not better developed than the communication of modern apes. Problem: Learning symbols requires much more indirect association than what is normally used for associations in other organisms than humans. These more indirect associations are not of any use at all at first, and are therefore inefficient and detrimental to survival. >Association. I 378-381 From an evolutionary point of view, the most important information is that which the female can obtain about the abilities of the male and which the male is able to deliver to the female. It must be possible to exclude erroneous information and distinguish information from other behaviours. I 382 Communication between males must be more complex when it comes to assessing the strengths of a rival without risking a direct battle. I 384 Human Communication/Deacon: Thesis: The development of more complex (symbolic) means of communication is probably designed to regulate the unavoidable conflict between sexual reproduction and social cooperation. I 385 A special characteristic of human versus animal communities is the long-term sexual bonding. Weddings establish a greater number of rights and obligations within a community. Marriage rules determine who can or cannot marry whom. Most communities are aware of an incest prohibition. Cf. >C. Lévi-Strauss. I 388 Characteristic for human communities is a relatively stable mating of parents and at the same time care for the rearing of offspring within a larger social association. The reason why this is rare in evolution is that such structures tend to undermine themselves. I 392 Coexistence in groups and simultaneous male brood care can only be maintained if access to reproduction is limited and unambiguous, which is the case only in carnivorous communities. Replacement for nursing care is only provided by relatives. A special feature is that we humans are particularly poorly equipped to steer social behaviour through smells. I 396 Females must have a guarantee that their offspring will be provided with meat by males. The males have to be sure that they only care for their own offspring. I 397 The problem of setting up a social structure that makes this possible can be solved by using symbols. I 401 In the context of marriage rules, reciprocity and altruism are at stake. It must be possible to represent past and possible future actions. Indexical communication is not enough. However, quite simple symbols are enough. >Altruism. Abstract reference: Reference to the absent was practiced and achieved through ritualization. I 403 Abstractness: a problem that is particularly difficult to symbolize is peace or its creation. This is due to the high cost of possible deception. >Deception, >Peace. I 405 Negation: to distinguish war and peace, negation or symbolic representation of negation is used. In addition, one needs generalization in order to understand peace as the absence of all conflicts. >Negation, >Generalization._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Dea I T. W. Deacon The Symbolic Species: The Co-evolution of language and the Brain New York 1998 Dea II Terrence W. Deacon Incomplete Nature: How Mind Emerged from Matter New York 2013 |
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> Counter arguments against Deacon
> Counter arguments in relation to Symbolic Communication
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-27