文学批评创新的认知基础——论斯波尔斯基的《自然的缺口》

A Cognitive Approach to Literature——Reading Ellen Spolsky's Gaps in Nature

斯波尔斯基总结了认知科学的相关成就,认为整个认知系统由进行综合思维的中央处理系统和专业化的输入系统构成。输入系统包括若干个模块,模块的不同层面之间、不同模块之间都有一定的缺口。模块内的主要认知中介为范畴,跨越模块的认知方式为转变。文学范畴的形成需要文学信息在语言模块的两个层面之间反复传递。当语言模块的信息向视觉模块转换比喻就会出现。范畴和比喻都需要跳过一定的缺口,必然引起信息的增益,具有较大的创造性。本文认为斯波尔斯基对认知机制的模块研究为我们提供了文学批评的新视角。

In Gaps in Nature, Ellen Spolsky brings together cognitive science and literary criticism. Drawing on various cognitive accounts of mental functioning, Spolsky concludes that the whole cognitive system consists of the central processing system in charge of overall thinking and the specialized input system comprising several modules. Gaps arise from the communications among the modules and the processing levels within these modules, permit and encourage ＂categorization＂ and ＂transformation＂. Literary cat- egories emerge when information travels between different levels within linguistic modules. The information transformation between linguistic modules and visual modules triggers figurative ideas. This article tries to demonstrate that Spolsky＇s modular picture of the mind explores how the mind＇s dynamism enables innovation both in creative writing and literary criticism.