Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Embodiment, language and mimesis

Zlatev, Jordan LU (2007) p.297-337
Abstract
The present focus on embodiment in cognitive science undervalues concepts such as convention/norm, representation and consciousness. I argue that these concepts constitute essential properties of language, and this makes it problematic for “embodiment theories” to account for human language and cognition. These difficulties are illustrated by examining a particular, highly influential approach to embodied cognition, that of Lakoff and Johnson (1999), and exposing the problematic character of the notion of the “cognitive unconscious”. To attempt a reconciliation between embodiment and language, I turn to the concept of (bodily) mimesis, and propose the notion of mimetic schema as a mediator between the individual human body and collective... (More)
The present focus on embodiment in cognitive science undervalues concepts such as convention/norm, representation and consciousness. I argue that these concepts constitute essential properties of language, and this makes it problematic for “embodiment theories” to account for human language and cognition. These difficulties are illustrated by examining a particular, highly influential approach to embodied cognition, that of Lakoff and Johnson (1999), and exposing the problematic character of the notion of the “cognitive unconscious”. To attempt a reconciliation between embodiment and language, I turn to the concept of (bodily) mimesis, and propose the notion of mimetic schema as a mediator between the individual human body and collective language. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
consciousness, bodily mimesis, conventions, mimetic schemas, representation
host publication
Body, Language, Mind. Vol 1: Embodiment
editor
Ziemke, Tom ; Zlatev, Jordan and Franck, Roslyn
pages
297 - 337
publisher
Mouton de Gruyter
ISSN
1861-4132
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
95ece16a-6498-4e25-ad2b-36971af90241 (old id 1032627)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:55:27
date last changed
2025-04-04 13:55:55
@inbook{95ece16a-6498-4e25-ad2b-36971af90241,
  abstract     = {{The present focus on embodiment in cognitive science undervalues concepts such as convention/norm, representation and consciousness. I argue that these concepts constitute essential properties of language, and this makes it problematic for “embodiment theories” to account for human language and cognition. These difficulties are illustrated by examining a particular, highly influential approach to embodied cognition, that of Lakoff and Johnson (1999), and exposing the problematic character of the notion of the “cognitive unconscious”. To attempt a reconciliation between embodiment and language, I turn to the concept of (bodily) mimesis, and propose the notion of mimetic schema as a mediator between the individual human body and collective language.}},
  author       = {{Zlatev, Jordan}},
  booktitle    = {{Body, Language, Mind. Vol 1: Embodiment}},
  editor       = {{Ziemke, Tom and Zlatev, Jordan and Franck, Roslyn}},
  issn         = {{1861-4132}},
  keywords     = {{consciousness; bodily mimesis; conventions; mimetic schemas; representation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{297--337}},
  publisher    = {{Mouton de Gruyter}},
  title        = {{Embodiment, language and mimesis}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/4514085/1044802.pdf}},
  year         = {{2007}},
}