Brain & Mind + Language, the Three Phylogenetic Roots of Cognition

Abstract

Based on already published research on the phylogeny of language during the emergence of Homo Sapiens starting around 300,000 years ago, and on still-to-be-published research in its final phase on the psychogenesis of language that starts in the 24^th week of gestation, this work focused on the central role of two virtual human constructs of man’s nervous system and brain confronted to their real environment, both natural and social. These two constructs, the mind, and language, result from the general pattern-capturing potential of the brain’s architecture. The mind and language develop simultaneously, reciprocally, and in close coordination, thus transforming the pattern-capturing potential of the brain into the mental and linguistic symbolizing and conceptualizing powers of men and women, the Trikirion of Symboleracy. This long development process can be captured in six stages: to sense; to perceive; to discriminate (or recognize) patterns; to experiment; to speculate, and to conceptualize spatial items and temporal processes. At the very same time the human power to use any item as the symbol of something else, often abstract, virtual, or even imaginary, opens the mental gates to religion and spirituality, technology and science, philosophy, and all sorts of arts. In psychogenetics, these six phylogenetic stages are essential for education. Lev Vygotsky, among others, has proposed one of the best approaches to this symbolizing and conceptualizing competence in children and young adults that still keeps expanding in our lives’ further ages.