How did John Searle argue that language helps create objective social reality?

John Searle argues that objective social reality is constructed through collective intentions, or "we-intentions," which are expressed through the formula "X counts as Y in context C." By collectively agreeing that a certain phenomenon (X) functions as a specific social status or institution (Y) within a given context (C), individuals create an objective social fact.1

For example, society creates money by collectively intending to treat specific pieces of paper or metal as currency. Searle emphasizes that these we-intentions are not merely the sum of individual intentions; they represent a cooperative framework that allows for the creation of complex social institutions, including property, governments, and language itself.1

Furthermore, Searle notes that these social constructions can be iterated, where the status (Y) of one institution becomes the foundation (X) for a higher-level institution. This process explains how simple linguistic or social acts—such as making a promise—can build into more complex structures like marriage or legal contracts. Through this mechanism, language and social cooperation transform subjective intentions into an objective reality that governs human civilization.1