Putnam's theory

Hilary Putnam's theory, particularly regarding "semantic externalism," suggests that meanings and reference depend on our environment and social context rather than just individual mental states. For example, when we talk about "water," we refer to the substance in the world, regardless of our personal understanding of it. This challenges the idea that knowledge is solely about internal mental processes. Instead, knowledge is interconnected with the world around us, highlighting the influence of external factors on our understanding and use of language. In essence, our knowledge is shaped by our interactions with the environment and the communities we belong to.