The Modal—Amodal Distinction in the Debate on Conceptual Format

Abstract

In this paper, I review the main criteria offered for distinguishing the modal and amodal approaches to conceptual format: the type of input to which the representations respond, the relation they bear to perceptual states, and the specific neural systems to which they belong. I evaluate different interpretations of them and argue that they all face difficulties. I further show that they lead to cross-classifications of certain types of representations, using approximate number representations as an example.

Keywords

• mental representations
• concepts
• grounded cognition
• sensorimotor systems
• symbols
• approximate number representations