Objects & Events

Objects

Light hits our eyes and somehow we perceive 3 dimensional ‘objects’. What is an object? In representational systems like programming languages, objects are core structure. Is the same true for our cognitive system? Are objects learned or innate?

Similar to object, events seem like a great candidate for an ontological type. Formal semanticists have illustrated time and time again that they are important for explaining language. But are events core conceptual knowledge?

Events

Similar to object, events seem like a great candidate for an ontological type. Formal semanticists have illustrated time and time again that they are important for explaining language. But are events core conceptual knowledge?

Primary Readings

Everyone should read these and be prepared to discuss.

• Spelke, E.S. (1990) Principles of object perception. Cognitive Science, 14(1), 29-56.
• Zacks, J. M., & Tversky, B. (2001) Event structure in perception and conception. Psychological Bulletin, 127(1), 3.