Numbers are Things in Time – Seven Reflections on the Cognitive Foundation of 'Math'
20 Pages Posted: 22 Sep 2012
Date Written: September 21, 2012
Abstract
These reflections are based on the need to develop a viable alternative to the hypothesis deriving numbers from spatial cognition through conceptual metaphor. Instead, temporal cognition is seen as directly involved with intersubjective articulations and symbolizations of time units. I suggest that the bodily experience of music, dance, and singing are primordial and responsible for the elementary symbolic numeracy allowing humans to refer to and share temporal instances. This derivation does not necessarily involve metaphor at all.
Keywords: Numbers, metaphor, temporal cognition, music, rhythm, symbolization, value, blending, synesthesia
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