Twin Earth thought experiment illustrates semantic externalism
Twin Earth thought experiment
Twin Earth thought experiment illustrates semantic externalism
The Twin Earth thought experiment demonstrates that meanings of words are not solely determined by mental states. On Twin Earth, the word "water" refers to a substance chemically different from Earth's water, despite identical mental experiences. This shows that meanings depend on external factors.
Example
On Earth, "water" refers to H2O, while on Twin Earth, it refers to XYZ, even though inhabitants of both planets experience the same thing they call "water."
Understanding this concept is crucial for grasping how language and meaning function beyond individual psychology.
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