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}
}