Scaffolding

Scaffolding is the term used to describe the concept of human neural networks sharing both concrete and abstract purposes. They initially developed to deal with the physiological basics (processing inputs like sight, sound, smell et.) and were then re-purposed to process abstract thought. The implication of this is that just as we conceive of the natural world via these sensory pathways, we equally do for intangible ideas. As such, exploring topics via Multi-modal and Synesthetic Approaches is a highly valid method to reach deeper insight.

It is important to note that this is a construct to understand what goes on in the mind. It is not the biological evidence we would see if you cut open the head.