Jerry Fodor

Representation without computation is like a map without a traveler.

The politics of academia: ideas fight harder than people.

Introspection is a lousy guide to mental processes—trust the experiments.

Life's meaning? It's in the pursuit of better theories about the mind.

Witty comebacks in debate: 'Your argument is as modular as a blob.'

Philosophy of mind is where science meets the soul—or at least pretends to.

Key to wisdom: question everything, especially your own assumptions.

Connectionism oversells; modularity delivers.

In letters to friends: 'Cognition is computation, full stop.'

The mind's modularity makes art possible—specialized modules for beauty.

Humor in science: 'If AI thinks like us, we're all in trouble.'

Professional note: Empirical data trumps armchair philosophy every time.

On life: Theories age, but curiosity doesn't.

Aphorism: Minds compute; bodies merely execute.

From a debate: 'Your dualism is as outdated as phrenology.'

Reflection: The meaning of existence lies in understanding our own machinery.

Key passage: 'Aspects of the Theory of Syntax revolutionized linguistics; now it's cognition's turn.'

Interview quip: 'Politics? I'd rather modularize Congress.'

Last words reflection: 'Keep computing the mind's mysteries.'

Witty remark: 'Eliminativism eliminates itself first.'