Thought, Ideas, Language, Meaning

There is something indefinable, ineffable, prior to words

Preface

I have thought about the mysteries of language and how we can express the same event in a myriad of equivalent ways, each conveying the same essential meaning. I don’t expect that I or anyone else will be able to explain it in the near future, as it is one of the overall conudrums existing in psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and now, large language model artificial intelligence. This little piece only serves to present the idea that there are deep mysteries underlying the every day and common place happenings in our world.

Introduction

In the realm of human experience, a seemingly commonplace occurrence often holds within it a profound mystery that defies conventional understanding. This enigma resides at the intersection of philosophy, linguistics, cognition, and the domain of artificial intelligence. The phenomenon in question is the intricate relationship between thought, ideas, language, and meaning. While it is intuitive to assume that these elements share a linear, sequential connection, a closer examination reveals a puzzling depth that eludes precise definition. This paper delves into the intricacies of this phenomenon, using a simple yet illustrative example to demonstrate how it defies easy explanation within current models of the mind and AI.

A Discussion on a Commonplace but Mysterious Phenomenon

The Original Description

Let us begin by considering a straightforward narrative of a personal experience: a swimming adventure.

1. I went to a swimming hole

2. I dove into the water

3. I hit the water awkwardly

4. It was painful

5. I swam to the shore and went home

Expressing the Same Idea Differently

Now, let's explore five alternative expressions of the same event while maintaining its essential details:

Passage 1: I visited a swimming spot and jumped into the water. I entered the water clumsily, causing discomfort. It hurt. I swam to the edge and returned home.

Passage 2: I went to a swimming place and leaped into the water. My entry into the water wasn't graceful, and it caused me pain. I made my way back to the shore and left for home.

Passage 3: I reached a swimming area and took a plunge into the water. My entry was awkward, leading to pain. I managed to swim to the shore and headed back home.

Passage 4: I arrived at a swimming location and dived into the water. My entry wasn't smooth, resulting in discomfort. I swam to the bank and then went back home.

Passage 5: I came to a swimming destination and threw myself into the water. My entry wasn't elegant, which caused me pain. I swam back to the shore and left for home.

The Complexity of Expression and Meaning

Upon examining these variations of the same event, an intriguing pattern emerges. Despite the shared core of the experience—going to a swimming hole, diving into the water, experiencing pain, and returning home—each rendition employs distinct linguistic structures, word choices, and phrasings. Yet, the fundamental meaning remains consistent across all expressions.

This interplay between various expressions of the same idea underscores the profound intricacies of human cognition and linguistic communication. It raises a crucial question: What lies beneath this ability to convey identical meanings through diverse linguistic forms? Is there an underlying cognitive framework that enables such flexibility and comprehension?

Philosophical Implications

This commonplace yet mysterious phenomenon holds philosophical significance, invoking questions about the nature of thought and its relationship to language. Philosophers have long pondered whether language is a mere vessel for expressing preexisting thoughts or if thought itself is shaped and defined by linguistic constructs. The fluidity with which different linguistic formulations encapsulate the same meaning challenges any simplistic view of this intricate relationship.

Linguistic and Cognitive Challenges

Linguists and cognitive scientists grapple with the challenge of explaining how ideas, thoughts, and meanings are translated into language. While current models of language processing offer valuable insights into the mechanics of comprehension and expression, they often fall short of fully capturing the depth and complexity of this phenomenon. The inherent flexibility of language, evident in the multiple expressions of the swimming adventure, points to an underlying cognitive architecture that remains elusive.

Relevance to Artificial Intelligence

The conundrum presented by this phenomenon extends beyond human cognition and language to the domain of artificial intelligence. The task of training large language models, such as ChatGPT, to generate diverse yet equivalent expressions of an idea highlights the intricacies AI researchers face in attempting to emulate human-like linguistic versatility. While AI systems can mimic this phenomenon to some extent, the underlying mechanisms guiding the process remain a subject of ongoing research and development.

Summary

In exploring the seemingly straightforward act of describing a personal experience through different linguistic lenses, we uncover a profound mystery that reverberates across the realms of philosophy, linguistics, cognition, and artificial intelligence. The ability to convey identical meanings through an array of linguistic expressions challenges our understanding of thought's relationship to language, inviting us to delve deeper into the enigmatic core of human cognition. As we strive to unravel this puzzle, we navigate uncharted territories that hold the promise of reshaping our comprehension of both human intelligence and the AI systems we create.