referentialism

Referentialism is a philosophical theory primarily concerned with the meaning of words and sentences. At its core, referentialism holds that the meaning of a linguistic expression is determined by what it refers to in the world. This means that a word or sentence is meaningful because it picks out, or corresponds to, a particular object, concept, or state of affairs.

For example, under a referentialist view, the word "cat" has meaning because it refers to the furry, four-legged animal we commonly call a cat. Similarly, the sentence "The cat is on the mat" is meaningful because it describes a specific arrangement of the cat and the mat in reality. The truth or falsity of the sentence is then determined by whether that particular arrangement actually exists.

This theory has been influential in the philosophy of language and has been developed and debated by various philosophers. Different versions of referentialism exist, with some focusing on proper names, others on descriptive phrases, and still others on the meaning of entire propositions. While intuitive, referentialism faces challenges, particularly when dealing with expressions that do not seem to refer to anything in the real world, such as fictional characters, abstract concepts, or empty names like "the present King of France." Nevertheless, the idea that meaning is tied to reference remains a significant concept in understanding how language connects to reality.