This book is about mathematical ideas, what mathematics means-and why. Abstract for the most part, arise via conceptual metaphor-metaphorical ideas projecting from way we function in everyday physical world. Where Mathematics Comes From argues that metaphor plays a central role within cognitive unconscious-from arithmetic and algebra to sets logic infinity all of its forms.

Abstract Cognitive research on metaphoric concepts of time has focused differences between moving Ego and models, but even more basic is the contrast Ego‐ temporal‐reference‐point models. Dynamic models appear to be quasi‐universal cross‐culturally, as does generalization that in Ego‐reference‐point FUTURE IS IN FRONT OF EGO PAST BACK EGO. The Aymara language instead a major static model wherein BEHIND EGO; linguistic gestural data give strong confirmation this unusual culture‐specific...

Research in cognitive linguistics and processing of temporal metaphors has traditionally distinguished between Moving-Ego Moving-Time mappings: Either the Ego is construed as moving regarding fixed landmarks or Time Ego. Both these involve time events reference to an Ego, which specifies present Now.We build on recent theoretical suggestions for a more fundamental classification metaphors: Ego- Time-Reference-Point (Ego-RP Time-RP). The distinction focuses role points ascribing orientation,...

Abstract The Aymara of the Andes use absolute (cardinal) frames reference for describing relative position ordinary objects. However, rather than encoding them in available lexemes, they do it lexemes that are intrinsic to body: nayra (“front”) and qhipa (“back”), denoting east west, respectively. Why? We different but complementary ethnographic methods investigate nature this encoding: (a) linguistic expressions speech–gesture co‐production, (b) patterns distinct regional Spanish‐based...

Talk about time is commonly accompanied by co-speech gesture. Though much recent work has looked at how construed as space in the languages of world, few studies have examined temporal gestures any detail. Our focus on a particular pattern among American English speakers — transversal which conceptualized moving from left to right across body. Based numerous examples elicited controlled observational paradigm, we suggest classification speakers’ into five types placing , pointing...

Many authors in the field of numerical cognition have adopted a rather nativist view that all humans share intuition numbers map onto space and, more specifically, an oriented left-to-right mental number line (MNL) is localized bilaterally intraparietal sulcus human brain. We review results from archaeological and historical (diachronic) studies as well cross-cultural (synchronic) ones contends these claims are not founded. The data actually suggest MNL innate. argue MNL—and number-to-space...

Mathematics requires precise inferences about abstract objects inaccessible to perception. How is this possible? One proposal that mathematical reasoning, while concerned with entirely objects, nevertheless relies on neural resources specialized for interacting the world-in other words, mathematics may be grounded in spatial or sensorimotor systems. Mental arithmetic, instance, could involve shifts attention along a mental "number-line", product of cultural artefacts and practices...

Abstract The canonical history of mathematics suggests that the late 19th‐century “arithmetization” calculus marked a shift away from spatial‐dynamic intuitions, grounding concepts in static, rigorous definitions. Instead, we argue mathematicians, both historically and currently, rely on dynamic conceptualizations mathematical like continuity, limits, functions. In this article, present two studies role conceptual systems expert proof. first is an analysis co‐speech gesture produced by...

Abstract Pointing is a cornerstone of human communication, but does it take the same form in all cultures? Manual pointing with index finger appears to be used universally, and often assumed universally preferred over other forms. Non‐manual head face has also been widely attested, usually considered marginal significance, both empirically theoretically. Here, we challenge this marginality. Using novel communication task, investigated preferences Yupno Papua New Guinea U.S. undergraduates....

Background The generic concept of number line, which maps numbers to unidimensional space, is a fundamental in mathematics, but its cognitive origins are uncertain. Two defining criteria the line that (i) there mapping each individual (or numerosity) under consideration onto specific location on and (ii) defines space representing with metric — distance function. It has been proposed based spontaneous universal human intuition, rooted directly brain evolution, magnitude linear metric. To...

The impact of religiosity in suicidal behavior was evaluated Brazil through a case-control study which 110 subjects who had attempted suicide the use toxic substances were compared with 114 control no history attempts. Religiosity measured three aspects: organizational religious activities (ORAs), nonorganizational (NORAs), and intrinsic (IR). Multivariate logistic regression used to evaluate on attempts, controlling for sociodemographic variables, impulsivity, mental illness. Religiosity,...