The relation between language, cognition and reality III

Abstract

In previous chapters I have argued why we cannot explain or justify that we are persons having knowledge, and language users being able to put forward true — and false — statements about reality, in terms of more basic biological or physiological states which do not presuppose the existence of knowledge and language. In this chapter I shall argue why, for similar reasons, it is impossible to explain how we become persons and language users, i.e. explain how language, knowledge and the logical properties of referentiality and truth of language and knowledge, originate out of such more basic states. That is, I shall argue why we cannot explain how, from being at some stage mere biological organisms and physiological systems (say, in early infancy), we at some later stage develop into persons and language users, having acquired the logical notion of reference and truth. And I shall also argue why the transition from functioning as biological organisms and physiological systems to functioning as persons and language users, cannot be explained in terms of or be derived from the biological and physiological structures or states, which exist prior to the knowledge, language and use of language of persons.