English

Which symbol grounding problem should we try to solve?

Computation and Language 2025-07-30 v1 Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Floridi and Taddeo propose a condition of "zero semantic commitment" for solutions to the grounding problem, and a solution to it. I argue briefly that their condition cannot be fulfilled, not even by their own solution. After a look at Luc Steels' very different competing suggestion, I suggest that we need to re-think what the problem is and what role the 'goals' in a system play in formulating the problem. On the basis of a proper understanding of computing, I come to the conclusion that the only sensible grounding problem is how we can explain and re-produce the behavioral ability and function of meaning in artificial computational agents

Cite

@article{arxiv.2507.21080,
  title  = {Which symbol grounding problem should we try to solve?},
  author = {Vincent C. Müller},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.21080},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-07-01T04:22:34.049Z