On Models and Meaning

Fragments from imaginary dialogues

“What is the fundamental unit of thought?”

“I’m thinking it has to do with language, because language fundamentally shapes our mental universe.

Is it the word?”

“Let’s take the word Love. The form is different in all the languages of the world, but the substance is the same.

The word is but a container for meaning.

Meaning transcends formal language.

Meaning is the universal language of thought, which is rooted in our shared human experiences.”

“So the fundamental unit of thought is the fundamental unit of meaning.”

“Yes.”

“What is the fundamental unit of meaning?”

“The model.

To think in models is to speak the meta-language of thought. 

This has profound practical application in navigating and sculpting the universe of meaning. And I’ve only begun my exploration.”