Descriptivist Theories

Descriptivist theories of reference suggest that the meaning of a name or term is linked to a set of descriptions associated with that name. For example, when we mention "the first president of the United States," we activate specific traits and facts about George Washington. According to this view, to refer to someone is to connect with these descriptions rather than just identifying an individual. Thus, understanding language involves recognizing how names relate to the concepts and characteristics we associate with them, rather than relying solely on a direct link to an object or person.