Cognitive maps as a medium for thought
Abstract
Cognitive maps are essential for navigation, but to what extent are they involved in thinking more broadly? In this opinion article, we examine whether cognitive maps constitute a genuine vehicle for thought and how they relate to the notion of a language of thought. Integrating work from philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, we suggest that map-like representations offer a distinct, flexible medium for encoding information and exhibit compositionality in both spatial and nonspatial domains. We then consider how dynamic neural mechanisms—replay, theta sequences, and vector computation—may transform map-based representations into sequential routelike formats that interface with cortical systems supporting propositional thinking. Cognitive maps may be complementary to symbolic cognition, jointly enabling flexible human reasoning.