Backstage Cognition in Reason and Choice

Turner, Mark B.

Backstage Cognition in Reason and Choice

ELEMENTS OF REASON: COGNITION, CHOICE, AND THE BOUNDS OF RATIONALITY, Arthur Lupia, Mathew D. McCubbins, and Samuel L. Popkin, eds., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 264-286, 2000

53 Pages Posted: 2 Sep 2008 Last revised: 23 Feb 2011

See all articles by Mark B. Turner

Mark B. Turner

Case Western Reserve University - Department of Cognitive Science

Date Written: January 1, 2000

Abstract

Reason and choice depend upon backstage cognition - mental operations that typically operate below the horizon of observation, too intricately for consciousness to monitor or manage, interactively with each other, in the moment, very quickly, and with powers of access and recognition not otherwise available. Such mental operations include focal point reasoning, categorization, framing, grammar, prototyping, memory, mental space assembly and connection, narrative, and conceptual integration. This paper focuses on the role of conceptual integration - also known as "blending" - in counterfactual reasoning, choice, decision, and judgment.

Keywords: cognitive science, reason, choice, conceptual integration, blending, focal point reasoning, categorization, framing, grammar, prototype, memory, mental space, narrative, conceptual integration, rational choice, counterfactual reasoning, decision, judgment

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Turner, Mark B., Backstage Cognition in Reason and Choice (January 1, 2000). ELEMENTS OF REASON: COGNITION, CHOICE, AND THE BOUNDS OF RATIONALITY, Arthur Lupia, Mathew D. McCubbins, and Samuel L. Popkin, eds., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 264-286, 2000, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1249963