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Hilary Putnam (1926–2016)

By BreannaPG

  • Hilary Putnam was born

    Hilary Putnam was born
    Hilary Putnam was born on July 31, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Hilary Putnam was an influential American philosopher, known for his contributions to a wide range of philosophical disciplines, including philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics. Putnam grew up in a family with a strong intellectual background. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy.

  • Hilary Putnam’s “Twin Earth” 1975

    Hilary Putnam’s “Twin Earth” 1975
    Hilary Putnam introduced the Twin Earth thought experiment in his paper titled "The Meaning of 'Meaning,'"published in 1975. The Twin Earth thought experiment is a famous argument in the philosophy of language and philosophy of mind that challenges traditional views on meaning and reference.

  • Hilary Putnams 1980s-1990s: Ethics and Pragmatism

    Hilary Putnams 1980s-1990s: Ethics and Pragmatism
    In the 1980s and 1990s, Hilary Putnam made significant contributions to ethical philosophy and embraced a form of pragmatic thought. During this period, he developed a pragmatic perspective that departed from the traditional analytic philosophy he had been associated with earlier in his career. Putnam's exploration of ethics and pragmatism is evident in several of his works and writings during this time.

  • Hilary Putnam Interview - Mind, Truth & Science (1998)

    Hilary Putnam Interview - Mind, Truth & Science (1998)
    TimeToast
    00:00 Philosophy over Time
    01:49 How old is the Mind?
    04:48 Functionalism
    08:35 Externalism
    13:19 The Turing Test
    16:52 The Nature of Mind
    24:07 Perception
    27:06 Artificial Intelligence & the Mind
    28:16 Dualist or Pluralist?
    29:44 Is the World Independent of our Minds?
    37:55 Unconceptualizable Reality
    40:49 The Role of Language
    44:01 Scientific Realism
    46:01 Quantum Mechanics
    50:14 Scientific Theories & Realism

  • Hilary Putnam’s Passing

    Hilary Putnam’s Passing
    Hilary Putnam, the esteemed American philosopher, died on March 13, 2016, marking the end of a remarkable journey that spanned 89 years. His departure left a void in the realm of analytical philosophy, where he had carved a niche for himself through his profound and extensive contributions.
    Putnam's legacy is not merely confined to the chronicles of time but resonates through the very fabric of philosophical discourse.