Perception is iconic; cognition is discursive

Abstract

Abstract This chapter distinguishes iconic from discursive representation in the context of a discussion of format and function. It discusses the determinacy of iconic representation, analog magnitude representation, mental imagery, holism, and integral vs. separable dimensions. It rebuts dualistic views of perception that treat object perception as discursive. That discussion concerns object-file representations in perception and memory. The chapter argues that the term “object-file” is a locus of confusion since it can be used to denote nonconceptual nonpropositional perceptual representations and also conceptual propositional representations in working memory. This discussion depends on distinguishing iconic memory, fragile visual short-term memory, and working memory.