This paper synthesizes a series of formal proofs to construct a unified theory on the logical limits of the Symbol Grounding Problem. We demonstrate through a four-stage argument that meaning within a formal system must arise from a process that is external, dynamic, and non-algorithmic. First, we prove that any purely symbolic system, devoid of external connections, cannot internally establish a consistent foundation for meaning due to self-referential paradoxes. Second, we extend this limitation to systems with any finite, static set of pre-established meanings, proving they are inherently incomplete. Third, we demonstrate that the grounding process is logically incomplete; specifically, the 'act' of connecting internal symbols to novel, emergent external meanings cannot be a product of logical inference within the system but must be an axiomatic, meta-level update. Finally, we prove that any attempt to automate this update process using a fixed, external "judgment" algorithm will inevitably construct a larger, yet equally incomplete, symbolic system. Together, these conclusions formally establish that the grounding of meaning is a necessarily open-ended, non-algorithmic process, revealing a fundamental, Gödel-style limitation for any self-contained intelligent system.
翻译:本文综合一系列形式化证明,构建了一个关于符号接地问题逻辑极限的统一理论。我们通过一个四阶段论证表明,形式系统中的意义必须源于一个外部、动态且非算法的过程。首先,我们证明任何纯粹符号系统,若缺乏外部连接,由于自指悖论的存在,无法在内部建立一致的意义基础。其次,我们将这一限制扩展到任何具有有限、静态预设意义集的系统,证明它们本质上是不可完备的。第三,我们论证接地过程在逻辑上是不可完备的;具体而言,将内部符号与新颖、涌现的外部意义相连接的'行为'不能是系统内部逻辑推理的产物,而必须是一个公理化的元层级更新。最后,我们证明任何尝试使用固定的外部'判定'算法来自动化此更新过程,都将不可避免地构建一个更大但同样不完备的符号系统。综上所述,这些结论形式化地确立了意义的接地必然是一个开放式的、非算法的过程,揭示了任何自包含智能系统都存在一个根本性的、哥德尔式的局限性。