ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

John Searle

John Searle is a very smart man who thinks a lot about language, the mind, and society. He likes to think about how we use language to communicate with each other and how our brains work when we think and speak.

For example, let's say you ask your friend for a cookie. You use language to communicate with your friend, and your brain tells your mouth and body how to say the words to ask for the cookie. Then your friend hears the words, understands what you mean, and gives you a cookie. John Searle would think about all the different things that had to happen in your brain and your friend's brain for this communication to work.

He also thinks about bigger things like how society works and how we make decisions as a group. For example, let's say you and your classmates have to decide on a game to play during recess. Everyone has a different idea, but you all have to agree on one game to play. John Searle would think about how you all use language to communicate your ideas and how you make a decision as a group.

Basically, John Searle is very interested in how we use language and think to communicate with each other and make decisions. He's very smart and thinks deeply about these things.