Meaning of Words

3 important questions on Meaning of Words

In what ways is the relation between word and and concept indirect?

- What is the connection? What is the middleman? (inside, outside your mind?)
- How can noise means something general?
- The mystery of meaning is does't seem to be located anywhere.

So if the relation between the word and meaning is indirect, what is it then?

It is like signs and signals a tool. It is true in our language game, it is true hen other in our environment also use it. But it doesn't say anything about the the object an such.

What three theories can be divided when talking about Theories of Meaning?

  1. Referential theories: identify the meaning of a word or expression with that to which the word or expression refers. Example: cat refers to a kind of animal. (Common-sense realism)

  2. Ideational theories: indicate that the meaning of the word is equivalent to the ideas in the human mind that the word "stands for". (Mentalism)

  3. Behaviorist theories: specify the meaning of a linguistic form to be identical with the situation within the speaker utters it and which response it calls in the hearer. (Contextualism)

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