Hugely powerful, we assume language enables us to represent reality. But some argue language, from the greatest narratives to the finest theories, not only fails to describe reality it actually distorts and misleads us. Language, the critics argue, formulates a world in its own image. The structure of language, nouns, adjectives, verbs, encourages us to imagine reality consists of their equivalent, things, qualities and actions. But there is no reason to suppose this is the case. And reason instead to conclude that reality is entirely different from the way it is represented in language.

Should we cease to see language as a means of describing the world and instead see it as a means to affect change? Have we mistaken rhetoric for reality? Or is the remarkable effectiveness of language evidence that language succeeds in describing reality even if we don't fully understand how this is achieved?

AI researcher Joscha Bach, author and myth expert Betty Sue Flowers and philosopher of technology Nolen Gertz debate if language can ever truly capture reality.

In partnership with PhilosophyNow.