Arutelukeeles

Arutelukeeles, also known as "language of reasoning" or "language of thought," refers to a hypothetical or abstract form of communication that some philosophers and cognitive scientists propose as the underlying system used by the human mind to process and represent information. The concept suggests that thoughts and mental processes are not directly expressed in natural languages like Estonian, English, or any other spoken or written language, but rather in a more fundamental, structured format.

The idea of an arutelukeel was first explored in the context of cognitive linguistics and philosophy of language. It is often discussed in relation to the "language of thought hypothesis," which posits that there exists a mental language that serves as a medium for reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. This hypothetical language is thought to be more systematic and compositional than natural languages, allowing for clearer and more consistent logical operations.

Some theories propose that arutelukeel could be a symbolic system, similar to formal logic or programming languages, where thoughts are represented using discrete symbols and rules. Others suggest it might be more akin to a mental image or a network of concepts rather than a strictly linguistic structure. The exact nature of arutelukeel remains a subject of debate, with no consensus on whether it exists or what form it might take.

Research in cognitive science and artificial intelligence has occasionally revisited the concept, particularly in discussions about how humans and machines might represent knowledge internally. While arutelukeel is not empirically proven, it remains a useful theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between language, thought, and cognition. Critics argue that the idea may be overly abstract or that natural language itself could serve as the primary medium for mental processing.