Analysis Of Langer's Essay 'Language And Thought'

P. 109 #4 – In Susanne K. Langer’s essay “Language and Thought”, she writes that the great importance of symbolism (language) to make us so different from the rest of animal kingdom. In other words, animals use signs to “think” and act the object directly, whereas humans think about symbols in a complex and abstract meaning. In order to explain this theory, Langer provided an example of how human mind transform all direct experience into symbolic expression. To further illustrate the difference between animals and humans, between symbols and signs, she states that using symbols was not only a special talent but an organic need. It seems to me that changed human mental function at an organic level was “conception process”. As far as I known,
It is interesting to notice that, this statement disputes some psychologists’ belief that language is simple evolved, superior and higher than other animals. In fact, sign using by animals is continuity, because signs don't refer to ideas but to actual situations, then the signs that animals use to communicate do not constitute a language. I really like the Langer’s idea of humans are not smarter than other animals; we are just different. Animals use signs that don't have a pattern or meaning like human language does, does not mean they are not as intelligent as human beings. As a student who took many science classes, there are so many questions in my mind. If Langer’s statement is true, why human beings consider we are on the top of food chain? Are human beings superior to other animals due to human brains structure are more developed? I’m sure there are plenty of scientific research could conduct a conclusion and provide evidence to support; however, I think it’s much more interesting to think about how evolution changed our relation to animals. Many people love to keep pets and most common species are dogs and