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Updated: Jan 28, 2026
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Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning
Published on: November 2, 2012
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Comparative metaphysics: Evolutionary and ontogenetic roots of essentialist thought about objects
Hannes Rakoczy1, Trix Cacchione2
1Institute of Psychology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science
|March 2, 2019
Summary
This study explores how animals and children perceive the world, focusing on object permanence and its developmental trajectory. It investigates the role of language in developing objective thought and psychological essentialism.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Biology
- Comparative Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Understanding the fundamental structure of perception in animals and young children is crucial for cognitive science.
- The concept of 'world-view' development, particularly regarding object perception, remains an area of active research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the emerging field of comparative and developmental metaphysics.
- To examine the foundational role of object perception in developing objective thought.
- To explore the relationship between object thinking, language, and psychological essentialism.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis and review of existing research in cognitive biology and comparative psychology.
- Theoretical discussion on the development of objective thought and its prerequisites.
- Examination of the potential link between object representation and psychological essentialism.
Main Results:
- Object permanence is proposed as a fundamental aspect of objective thought.
- The necessity of language for basic object perception is questioned.
- A potential foundation for psychological essentialism through object thinking is suggested.
Conclusions:
- Comparative and developmental metaphysics offers a new lens for understanding cognition.
- Object-centric world-views may develop independently of complex language.
- Early object perception could influence later cognitive biases like essentialism.
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