Hippocampus, analogy, and semantic cognition: The HippoSemA framework for semantic abstraction and generalization

Semantic cognition supports generalized knowledge that transcends specific experiences, yet the mechanisms through which such knowledge emerges and remains flexible are still poorly specified. Here, we propose that hippocampal-supported analogical reasoning constitutes a key mechanism underlying relational abstraction and semantic generalization. Building on evidence from neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and theoretical models, we argue that the hippocampus contributes to semantic cognition not by storing semantic content, but by extracting and reusing relational structure across experiences. Analogical reasoning provides the functional link between episodic experience and semantic knowledge, enabling inference, prediction, and flexible generalization. Integrating this account with existing models of semantic representation, semantic control, and predictive coding offers a mechanistic framework for understanding how meaning is constructed and deployed across contexts.