Alfred Korzybski

Alfred Korzybski was a Polish-American philosopher known for developing the theory of general semantics, which emphasizes how language shapes our understanding of reality. He argued that language influences thought and perception, linking to the concept of linguistic relativity—the idea that the structure of a language affects its speakers' worldview. Korzybski famously stated, "the map is not the territory," highlighting that words and symbols can only represent experiences, not the experiences themselves. His work encourages critical thinking about language and communication, emphasizing that our understanding is shaped by the words we use.