Pylyshyn's imagery hypothesis

Pylyshyn's imagery hypothesis suggests that mental images are not literal pictures stored in the mind but are instead symbolic, language-like representations. When we imagine, our brain uses these symbols to simulate sensory experience without creating detailed visual images. This means that mental imagery relies on language-based or abstract codes rather than actual pictures, enabling us to manipulate and reason about images efficiently. In essence, our mental images are more like descriptions or markers that our mind translates into sensory experiences during perception, rather than pre-formed visual snapshots.