Conclusion

We need to distinguish between two claims:

(16)

The meaning of individual words derives from their role in completing thoughts;

(17)

The meaning of individual words derives from their role in sentences which construct complete thoughts.

(16) is the conclusion that our consideration of Wittgenstein's language game leads us to. Reference is not a simple relationship between words and things, but one that rests on the way that words give us types of action that play a role in intentional human activity. The fact that `Kilimanjaro' refers to Kilimanjaro has to do with the way people use the word to make statements and make requests and lots of other things.

But (16) is not the same as (17). When Davidson says that ``it is inconceivable that one should be able to explain [the relation between speakers, `Kilimanjaro' and Kilimanjaro] without first explaining the role of the word in sentences...'' he is wrong. It is conceivable.