This chapter develops an account of human cognition and language centered on three ideas. First, cognition is for action: Only organisms that can orchestrate action have nervous systems, and the basic function of a nervous system is to guide action. The second idea is that of neural exploitation (Gallese & Lakoff, 2005). Namely, as brains evolve, additional functions exploit the operation of neural systems already in place. Importantly, language seems to be such a system in that language comprehension involves the simulation of action calling upon neural systems otherwise used for perception, action, and emotional processing. Third, the simulations invoked by language make use of forward models (e.g., Grush, 2004) that are predominately used in the control of action. Consequently, both short-term (e.g., fatigue, practice, emotional states) and long-term (e.g., development, learning, neural insults) changes in action systems are predicted to affect language comprehension.

COGNITION IS FOR ACTION

What Brains Are For

“What are brains for?” The answer to that question would seem to be obvious: “Brains are for thinking!” But consider some of the exquisite work that the brain does that one would not ordinarily classify as thinking. The brain controls and coordinates eye and neck muscles that allow us to track an annoying housefly, not to mention the tremendous amount of work done by the visual areas of the brain in locating and identifying the fly. The brain coordinates that tracking activity with reaching out with the hand and arm to swat the fly.