Gesture following deafferentation: a phenomenologically informed experimental study

Authors: Cole J.¹; Gallagher S.²; McNeill D.³

Source: Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, Volume 1, Number 1, 2002 , pp. 49-67(19)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Empirical studies of gesture in a subject who has lost proprioception and the sense of touch from the neck down show that specific aspects of gesture remain normal despite abnormal motor processes for instrumental movement. The experiments suggest that gesture, as a linguistic phenomenon, is not reducible to instrumental movement. They also support and extend claims made by Merleau-Ponty concerning the relationship between language and cognition. Gesture, as language, contributes to the accomplishment of thought.

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Southampton, USA 2: Department of Philosophy and Cognitive Science, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY 14208, USA E-mail: gallaghr@canisius.edu 3: Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, USA

Publication date: 2002-01-01