Referentialism

Referentialism is a theory in philosophy of language that explains how words and symbols connect to the real world. It holds that the meaning of a term is primarily determined by what it refers to in the actual world. For example, the word “cat” refers to the actual cats that exist. According to this view, understanding a word involves knowing what object, person, or concept it points to. This approach emphasizes a direct link between language and reality, suggesting that successful communication depends on shared understanding of these referents.