Final answer:
Ambiguous referents are problematic for theories of meaning in structuralist and post-structuralist philosophy, and linguistic semantics. Structuralism seeks definite meanings within a linguistic system, while post-structuralism acknowledges the fluidity and constructed nature of meaning. Ambiguity is integral to deconstruction and plays a role in the linguistic analysis of philosophical issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ambiguous referents pose problems for certain theories of meaning, particularly in the fields of structuralism and post-structuralism in philosophy, as well as in the study of semantics in linguistics. In structuralist thought, symbols and words are believed to refer to specific concepts within a closed linguistic system. However, in post-structuralism, ambiguity is embraced, and meaning is seen as constructed by the interplay of differences within and between texts.
Furthermore, the philosophical linguistic turn challenges the idea of a single, absolute reality, suggesting that reality is linguistically constructed and therefore prone to multiple interpretations. This perspective is supported by the notion of deconstruction, introduced by Jacques Derrida, which examines both visible and obscured meanings in texts, thereby highlighting the inherent ambiguity. Lastly, linguistic analysis of the 20th century prompts the consideration that language problems are at the root of philosophical queries and that ambiguity in language can potentially distort our understanding of 'multiple realities'.