This book investigates the fundamental nature of mental representation and the acquisition of knowledge. It synthesizes findings from diverse subfields of cognitive psychology, including developmental psychology, formal modeling, neuropsychology, connectionism, and philosophy, to explore ongoing debates about how knowledge is represented and processed in the mind. The text examines whether distinct brain systems are responsible for implicit and explicit knowledge, or if a single system can account for all knowledge representation.

The book is presented as a synthesis of contemporary cognitive psychology, aiming to provide readers with a broad overview of the field's central concerns regarding mental representation. The subject matter suggests a text intended for academics and advanced students, likely dense with theoretical discussion and empirical data. Its focus on foundational debates indicates a work that engages with core questions in cognitive science, positioning it as a resource for understanding the complexities of the mind.