A few neuroscientists argue that language is primarily used for communication, rather than reasoning. Many years ago, philosophers also discussed the purpose of language. The ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, believed that language was essential for thinking. Eveline Fedorenko, a cognitive neuroscientist, used brain scans to find how the brain makes language. She did 25 years of research and found that language is not needed for reasoning.
In Fedorenko's perspective, reason and thought are distinct things that the brain processes separately. The biggest level of cognition can go on without the help of any words or language. Scientists have worked with populations that do not use language, like infants or animal species, and it is possible to give instructions nonverbally. Some people have aphasia, and were able to do fine on cognitive tasks that were tested on them. So, these examples show that language is not needed for reasoning.
this reminds me of the case study where someone was being asked questions and they had to look left or right to answer yes or no questions. granted there was still some sort of incorporation of language being relayed, but not fully. it was a one sided language response...
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