The questions raised in this lecture will address concepts of mental life that vary across cultures and how understanding process develops in the infancy period of bearers of different cultures. Recent research in cognitive science, psychology, and linguistics highlights the essential role of the intertwined concepts of mind and soul in shaping individuals' perceptions and understanding their mental lives. It emphasizes that the concepts of mind and soul encompass a wide spectrum of human life experiences , from the psychological and cognitive realm to religious, moral, and emotional dimensions. They are intricately linked to processes such as mindreading , mind-perception, and intentions concerning fellow humans, as well as self-reflection and overall social interactions. The lecture is based on research that the author conducted in various cultural contexts involving both adults and children reveals different dimensions of understanding these concepts, including their definition, the assignment of distinct functions, and their localization in specific regions of the body. The cross-cultural issues will be presented, drawing on research conducted in Poland, China, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, among others, using various techniques and methodologies, demonstrate that researchers have grounds to (1) challenge traditional dualistic perspectives on the mind-body relationship and advocate for a tripartite model (body, mind, and soul), and (2) assert that the linguistic structures, thought habits, and religious beliefs embedded in cultures play a decisive role in shaping the understanding of these concepts, which, in turn, form the mental map we create, determining how its components are localized within our bodies and generating explanatory narratives rooted in folk psychology. At the same time, the lecture will demonstrate that how people ‘draw the picture’ of their mental life directly influences how they resolve moral dilemmas, attribute specific dimensions of mental life to artificial intelligence, and think about our health-related behaviors. This research, which will be presented, advances the cross-cultural understanding of how cultural influences shape the development of mental concepts in social contexts.

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