Pesonen, Renne (2025) Rethinking mental representation through the epistemology of modeling. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The problems associated with classical symbolism need not entail abandoning representationalism. While symbolic referentialism has been widely challenged by embodied and action-oriented approaches, the notion of representation remains indispensable in research on higher cognition. This paper argues for a reconciliation between structured conceptual representation and action-oriented theories through a pragmatist reinterpretation of mental representation. Drawing on the epistemology of scientific modeling and research on mental models, I propose model-based pragmatic inferentialism, which replaces symbolic referentialism with an account grounded in pragmatic inference and adequacy for purpose. On this view, representations are not defined by truth or reference. Rather, mental models function as flexible knowledge structures that integrate sensorimotor and abstract information to serve diverse epistemic and pragmatic goals. This framework dissolves the divide between philosophical and psychological theories of concepts and aligns more closely with current empirical research on higher cognition than either classical symbolism or its radical anti-representational alternatives.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Pesonen, Renne renne.pesonen@gmail.com 0000-0001-6425-5772
Keywords:	Mental representation, Mental models, Epistemology of modeling, Eactivism, Referentialism
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Action Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Concepts and Representations
Depositing User:	Renne Pesonen
Date Deposited:	14 Jan 2026 13:39
Last Modified:	14 Jan 2026 13:39
Item ID:	27882
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Action Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Concepts and Representations
Date:	30 September 2025
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/27882

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• Rethinking mental representation through the epistemology of modeling. (deposited 01 Oct 2025 18:20)
  • Rethinking mental representation through the epistemology of modeling. (deposited 14 Jan 2026 13:39) [Currently Displayed]

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