Compression and Global Insight

Cognitive Linguistics, Vol. 11, No. 3-4, pp. 283-304, 2000

21 Pages Posted: 16 Jun 2009 Last revised: 30 Apr 2012

See all articles by Gilles Fauconnier

Gilles Fauconnier

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Cognitive Science

Mark B. Turner

Case Western Reserve University - Department of Cognitive Science

Date Written: January 2, 2000

Abstract

Compression is a phenomenon in conceptual integration that allows human beings simultaneously to control long diffuse chains of logical reasoning and to grasp the global meanings of such chains. Compression operates on a small set (under twenty) of relations rooted in fundamental human neurobiology as it applies to shared physical and socio-cultural human experience. So-called Vital Relations, including Cause-Effect, Change, Time, Identity, Intentionality, Representation, and Part-Whole, can apply across mental spaces, and also define essential topology within mental spaces. In blending networks, a vital relation across inputs (outer-space vital relation) can be compressed into a vital relation within the blended space (inner-space vital relation). We show how one of the overarching goals of compression through blending is to achieve `human scale' in the blended space, where a great many of our conscious manipulations take place.

Keywords: mental space, compression, conceptual integration, vital relation, blending

Suggested Citation

Fauconnier, Gilles and Turner, Mark B., Compression and Global Insight (January 2, 2000). Cognitive Linguistics, Vol. 11, No. 3-4, pp. 283-304, 2000, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1419544

Gilles Fauconnier

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Cognitive Science ( email )

9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0515
United States

Mark B. Turner (Contact Author)

Case Western Reserve University - Department of Cognitive Science ( email )

10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106-7068
United States

HOME PAGE: http://markturner.org

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