Words Don't Refer Alone: The Architecture of Reference

Philosophics — Philosophical and Political Ramblings · Jul 20, 2026 · 20m

Language philosopher Bry Willis explores Paul Pietroski’s theory that words do not directly latch onto objects but instead serve as headers for diverse conceptual families. The author expands on this by introducing the Mediated Encounter Ontology, arguing that reference is a joint achievement occurring within structured, real-world activities rather than a private mental process. By using the practical example of making lemonade, the source illustrates how polysemy—the existence of multiple related meanings—functions across different levels of linguistic complexity. The narrative challenges…