The Routledge Handbook of Semiosis and the Brain

Cover
Half Title
Series Information
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Figures
Tables
Acknowledgments
Contributor Information
Introduction: Semiosis, Brain, and Context: The Unmet Need for a Transdisciplinary Framework
	Neurosemiotics: What, How, Why?
	The Handbook at a Glance
	Looking Forward
	Funding
	References
Part I Prolegomena to Neurosemiotics
	1 Neurosemiotics: A Brief History of Its Development and Key Concerns
		Introduction
		A Brief History of Neurosemiotics
		Characteristics of Research in Neurosemiotics
		Preconditions for Neural Semiosis
		Some Features of Neural Cells That Are Relevant for Semiosis
		Neurosemiosis, or the Neural Processes That Are Responsible for the Creation of Sign-Relations
			Process–Relation Duality
			Semiosis Is the Process That Creates the Simultaneous Presence of Multiple Options
			Codes Are the Building Blocks of Semiosis
			Habituation Quasi-Stabilizes the Neural Structure
		Conclusion
		Acknowledgements
		Notes
		References
	2 Steps to a Semiotic Cognitive Neuroscience
		Cognition Explained Away
			Semiosis: The Missing Link
			The Non-Semiotic Framing of Cognitive Science
		Semiotic Preliminaries
			Semiosis: The Process of Interpreting
			Semiotic Affordances
			Deconstructing the Code Analogy
			Nested Interpretive Dependencies
		Semiotic Neuroscience
			A Dynamical Basis for Cortical Iconism
			Counter-Current Information Processing
			Recursive Interpretation
			Symbolic Interpretation
			Ungrounding Symbolic Reference
			From Index to Symbol
			Mnemonic Implications
		Summary and Conclusions
		Notes
		References
	3 An Active Inference Approach to Semiotics: A Variational Theory of Signs
		Introduction
		Active Inference
			An Introduction to the Active Inference Framework
			Markov Blankets and Generative Models
			A Simple Generative Model: Likelihood Mappings and Prior Beliefs
		Toward a Variational Semiotics
			Active Inference and Deflationary Semantics
			A Basic Semiotic Structure
			Variational Icons (“Looks Like”)
			Variational Indices (“Points To”)
			Variational Symbols (“Refers To, Within a Convention”)
				Deontic Cues and the Conventionalization of Signs
				The Syntactic Aspect of Symbols
		Conclusion
		Acknowledgments
		Notes
		References
	4 Experimental Semiotics: Past, Present, and Future
		Introduction
		Historical Context of Experimental Semiotics
		The Fundamentals of Human Semiosis
			Symbol Grounding
			Design Features
		The Cognitive and Social Underpinnings of Human Semiosis
			Cognitive Underpinnings: Impact of Modality
			Social Underpinnings: Horizontal and Vertical Transmission
		Open Challenges and Future Directions
			Limitations
			Integration of ES and Neuroscience in a Neurosemiotic Framework
		Conclusions
		Note
		References
	5 Beyond the Human Animal: Towards a Cross-Species Neurosemiotics
		Introduction
		The “Neural Code”: A Semiotic Concept?
		Neurosemiotics in Jakob Von Uexküll’s Umwelt Theory
		The Neural Code Across Species in Light of Umwelt Theory
		Neurosemiotic Agency and Objecthood Across Species
		A Biosemiotic Perspective On Anthropocentrism in Behavioral Neuroscience
		Concluding Remarks
		Notes
		References
Part II Language and Its Pathways to Meaning
	6 Neural Bases of Multimodal Semantics
		Introduction
		Semantic Memory
		The History of Semantic Research
		The Neural Basis of Semantic Memory
		Semantic Dementia
		Semantic Problems in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients
		Neuroimaging
		The Frequency Effect
		Lateralization Within the Semantic Network
		Semantic Control System
		Conclusion
		Note
		References
	7 Embodied Mechanisms and the Shaping of Semantics
		Introduction
		Processing Verbs
			Neural Structures of Verbs Processing
			Behavioral Evidence
			Time-Course of Verb Understanding
			Embodiment in Movements Disorders
			Mirror Neurons and Their Potential Role in Language Processing
			Processing Concrete Nouns
			Neural Representation of Objects
			Neural Representation of Concrete Nouns
			Time-course of Concrete Nouns Processing
		The Language of Emotions
		Embodied Communication in a Neurosemiotic Framework
		Conclusion
		References
	8 The Figurative Brain
		Introduction
			Pragmatic Insights for a Neurosemiotics of Figurative Language
		Figurative Language and the Brain
			Figurative Language and Embodied Simulation
			Other Forms of Figurative Meaning
		The Time Course of Figurative Language Processing
		Conclusion
		Notes
		References
	9 Pharmacological Modulation of Meaning Attribution
		Introduction
		Two Dimensions of Meaning in the Brain
		Dopaminergic Modulation of Salience
		Serotonergic Modulation of Meaning Attribution
		Specificity of Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Effects
		Therapeutic Use of Psychedelics and the Attribution of Personal Meaning
		Conclusion
		Notes
		References
	10 How Grammar Means
		Introduction
		Conventional Approaches to Meaning and Syntax
			Meaning
			Syntax
			Interim Conclusions
		Towards a Neurosemiotics of Syntactic Meaning
			Syntactic Constructions Convey Meaning
			Syntactic Constructions Are Referential Tools
			Interim Conclusions
		Syntactic Constructions Reuse Ancient Neural Networks
			Broca’s Area
			The Inhibitory Control System
			Interim Conclusions
		Neural Coupling in Communication
			Interim Conclusions
		Concluding Remarks
		Note
		References
	11 Discourse and the Brain: Capturing Meaning in the Wild
		Introduction
		Lexical Processing in Discourse Context
			Word Frequency
			Surprisal and Entropy
			Semantic Features
			Embodiment
		Combinatorial and Compositional Processing
		Regions Involved in Semantics of Discourse Processing
			Anterior Temporal Lobe
			Angular Gyrus
			Precuneus and Posterior Cingulate
			Bilaterality
		Neurosemiotics and Language in the Wild
		Cautions, Caveats, and Future Directions
		Conclusion
		References
	12 Words, Meanings, and the Bilingual Brain
		Introduction
		Bilingual Word Production: Activation, Competition, and Control
		Lexico-semantic Processing in the Bilingual Brain
		Towards an Integrative View of Bilingual Communication
			Iconicity in Bilingual Language Processing
		Conclusions
		Note
		References
	13 How Do Sign Languages Mean?
		Introduction
		Early Signs: The Role of Homesign in the Development of Signed Communication
			Homesign: A Way Into Language Through Iconicity
			Sign Languages Are Born – and Made – By Deaf People
		How Sign Languages Work: Iconicity, Language, and Gesture
			Language And/or Gesture: Neurolinguistic and Neurosemiotic Considerations
			Pivoting From Neurolinguistics to Neurosemiotics
			How – and When – Do Iconic Features Function in SL?
			Is the Core Language System Necessary for Meaning Processing in SL Users?
		A Deeper Dive: The Extraction of Meaning Types Through Dual Processing Streams
			Orientation: A Sketch of Brain Regions and Functions
			Dual Processing Streams for Visual (And Auditory) Signals
			Actions (Pantomimes) and Things (Emblems): Functional Differentiation of Gesture Follows Dual Routes
			Hand Shapes and Hand Actions: Discrete Sensitivities in Sensory Networks
		Conclusion
		Acknowledgements
		Notes
		References
Part III The Neurosemiotics of Social Dynamics
	14 Empathy, Meaning, and the Human Brain
		Introduction
		Empathy
		Mentalizing
		Empathy and Mentalizing During Complex Social Interactions in the Wild
		Summarizing the Relevance of Empathy and Mentalizing in the Construal of Meaning
		References
	15 Biological Bases of Moral Cognition and Their Role in the Construal of Meaning
		Introduction
		Moral Cognition and Neurosemiotics
		Biological Bases of Moral Cognition
			Neural Bases
			Neurocognitive Network Models of Moral Cognition
			Hormonal Bases
			Genetic Factors
		Towards an Integrative View of Moral Cognition
		Conclusion
		References
	16 The Neurosemiotics of Social Interaction: Insights From Second-Person Neuroscience
		Introduction: From Semiotics to Neurosemiotics
		Smile With Me
		Social Context Matters
		Joint Orienting, Shared Attention, and Reality
		Second-Person Neuroscience Meets Neurosemiotics
		Second-Person Neuropsychiatry
		Conclusion
		References
	17 Joint Epistemic Engineering: The Neglected Process in Human Communication
		Introduction
		From Pre-Darwinian Types to Contingently Shared Tokens
		What Is in a Signal?
			Shannon-Signals
			Grice-Signals
			Peirce-Signals
			Fixed-Code Fallacy
		What Counts as Context?
			Disambiguation
			Strategic Reasoning
			Mutual Coordination
		What Do Interlocutors Construct?
			Joint Epistemic Engineering
			Engineering a Bar Conversation
			Engineering a Communication System
		What Does the Brain Care About?
		What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
		Conclusion
		References
	18 Towards a Neurosemiotics of Friendship
		Introduction: Why Friendship?
		Neuroscience Needs Semiotics
		A Semiotics of Friendship
		A Neurosemiotics of Friendship
		The Neurosemiotics of Opacity in Data-Intensive Brain Research
		Concluding Remarks on a Friendly Critique of Common Neurosense
		Acknowledgements
		Notes
		References
	19 Neurosemiotics and Ideology: A Linguistic View
		Introduction
		Why Ideology and Neurosemiotics
			Defining Ideology
			The Ideological Potential of Language
		The Ideological Brain
			Size, Extent, Complexity, and Metastability of the Brain
			The Brain Is Not Like a Computer
			Hierarchy, Stratification, Value, and Re-Entry: The Modeling of Brain Structure and Function
			Degeneracy
		Concluding Remarks: Integrating Ideology Into Neurosemiotics
		Notes
		References
	20 The Interplay of Culture, Religion, and Biology
		Introduction
		Meaning in Cultural Psychology
		Meaning in Cultural Neuroscience and Genetics
			Cultural Neuroscience Research Relies On Cultural Meanings
			Benefits of Integrating Neuroscience Into Cultural Psychology
		Meaning in Religion
			Overlaps and Distinctions Between Religion and Culture
			Historical Examples of Meaning in Religion
			Psychological Research Demonstrating Meaning in Religion
			The Unique Utility of Neuroscience in the Study of Religion
			The Need for Meaning in Gene–environment Interaction and Religion Research
		Future Research and Challenges in Cultural Neuroscience and Religion
		Integrating Culture, Semiotics, and Neuroscience
		Conclusion
		References
Part IV Further Semiotic Domains
	21 What Makes Us Human? Face Identity Recognition
		Introduction
		The Human Face as a Powerful Sign of Social Communication
		Face Identity Recognition: A Human-Specific Expertise
			The Challenge and Quality of Human Face Identity Recognition
			Development, Genetics, and Experience
			A Human-Specific Expertise in FIR
		Face Identity Recognition: A Human-Specific Neural Circuitry
			A Right-Lateralized Network of Face-Selective Regions
			The Lack of a Ventral Face-Selective Network in Macaque Monkeys
		The Key Role of Reentrant Semantically Driven Identity Representations
		Conclusions: Towards a Neurosemiotics of Human Face Recognition?
		Acknowledgements
		Notes
		References
	22 Musical Signs and the Human Organism
		Introduction
		Neurocognitive Components of Music
		Emotional Associations
			Emotions Expressed By Music
			Emotions Experienced By the Listener
			Interim Summary
		Other Semantic Associations
			Semantic Concepts Evoked By Music
			Other Cross-Modal Associations
			Self-related Meaning
			Interim Summary
		Timecourse of Meaning in Music
			Interim Summary
		Conclusion
		References
	23 The Meaning of Tools: The Pragmatic Value of Semantic Knowledge
		Introduction
		From Semantic Knowledge …
			The Classical Semantic Knowledge Hypothesis
			No Evidence for the Classical Semantic Knowledge Hypothesis
		… to Technical Reasoning
			Epistemological Consideration
			The Technical Reasoning Hypothesis
		When Are Semantic Knowledge and Technical Reasoning Involved?
			Real Tool Use
			Single Tool Use
		What Is the Role of Semantic Knowledge?
			Semantic Or Pragmatic Knowledge?
			Organizing the Search Within Episodic Memory
		Conclusion
		Acknowledgments
		Notes
		References
	24 Interpreting the Signals Within: Meaning and Prediction During Interoception
		Introduction
		Afferent Signaling, Integration, and Perceptual Representation
		Interoceptive Meaning-Making and Emotion
		Social Signaling of Interoceptive States
		Maladaptive Interoceptive Representation
		Neurosemiotics of Interoception: Theoretical, Methodological, and Epistemological Implications
		Conclusion
		Notes
		References
	25 The Hierarchical Semantics of Self
		Introduction
			Hierarchical Layers of Self
			From the Hierarchy of Self to Semantic Similarity and Relatedness
		Neural Hierarchy of Self: Different Layers of Self-Processing
			Layers and Neural Hierarchy of Self
			The Intero-Exteroceptive Self: Self-Related Processing
			Predictive Or Cognitive Self: Self-Predictive Processing
			Higher-order Reflective Or Mental Self: Self-Referential Processing
			Nested Hierarchy of Self: Different Spatial and Temporal Scales Are Integrated
		Self Meets Language: Semantic Similarity and Semantic Relatedness
			Semantic Relatedness Versus Semantic Similarity
			Isomorphism of Structural and Semantic Relations
			From Isomorphism to Structuralism: The Self Is Part of Sociocultural Structure
			Computational Mechanisms: Vector Semantic Space
		Converging Semantics, Brain, and Self Through Their Timescales
			Vector Semantic Space: Short- and Long-Time Relations Shape Similarity and Relatedness
			Self, Brain, and Environment Are Predispositions of Semantics
			From the Hierarchy of Self to the Temporal Continuum of Semantic Similarity and Relatedness
		Conclusion
		Notes
		References
Index