Before the Word, the Model

Language philosopher Bry Willis examines the intricate relationship between perception and language, arguing that human experience is not fundamentally reliant on verbal expression. Through a conceptual flow diagram, the author illustrates how a stimulus transforms into an event via embodied presentation and selective attention long before it is captured by words. This model challenges the idea of unmediated access to reality, suggesting instead that every stage of awareness involves some level of cognitive processing or modelling. By distinguishing between immediate encounters and subsequent representations, Willis highlights that our interaction with the world is a layered, non-linear process. Ultimately, the text posits that there is no neutral foundation for observation, as every encounter is shaped by the organism's history and biological constraints.👉 https://brywillis634737.substack.com/p/before-the-word-the-model