Language and Symbolization

In his 43rd aphorism, discussing Idols of the Market Place, Bacon laments the barrier that words and definitions present as obstructions to knowledge and understanding. Even definitions are of no assistance to the confused mind as they only lead further down rabbit trails of muddled explanations and ambiguous word choice.

Language, by it's very nature, is the verbal/written symbolization of an actual thing. In symbolizing a thing (be it an idea, concrete element, emotion, being, etc.), we take it further away from its essence and allow it to be interpreted by others as they will, thereby obfuscating its true meaning.

Bacon defines words as "symbols of notions" (14) and suggests that they "be derived from things by a more sure and guarded way" (18). Defining and understanding notions is paramount in his view because notions are the most base element of syllogisms. He creates a flow chart that demonstrates syllogisms comprised by propositions comprised by words, which are symbols of notions (14). However, even if his "more sure and guarded" methods are implemented for better defining words and notions, will true clarity and precision ever be obtained as long as these notions are rendered symbolically in language? No matter how clearly a word is defined, language will continue to dissemble meaning.