ekstensionalism

Extensionalism is a philosophical concept that relates to the meaning of words or concepts based on their extension, which refers to the set of all things that the word or concept applies to. In simpler terms, the meaning of a term is understood by listing all the possible objects or instances that fit that description. For example, the extension of the word "dog" would be the set of all individual dogs that exist. This contrasts with intensionalism, which defines meaning by the properties or attributes associated with a term.

The extensionalist view emphasizes that two terms have the same meaning if and only if they refer to the exact same set of things. If two terms apply to precisely the same individuals or objects, then according to extensionalism, they are synonymous. This approach is often used in logic and semantics, particularly in formal systems where precise definitions and references are crucial.

While useful for clarity and avoiding ambiguity, extensionalism can face challenges when dealing with abstract concepts or terms that do not have a clear-cut set of referents. For instance, defining the extension of "justice" or "truth" can be problematic because these concepts do not correspond to a finite or easily identifiable collection of objects. Despite these limitations, extensionalism remains a significant perspective in understanding how meaning can be grounded in the world of objects and experiences.