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The Early Life of Hilary Putnam
Hilary Putnam was born on 31 July 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, he died on 13 March 2016 at the age 89. Putnam studied philosophy and mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania and attended Harvard University and the University of California at UCLA. It was there were, he wrote a thesis on the concept of probability. Putnam successfully obtained his Ph.D. in 1951. -
Realism
In the 60s, Hilary Putnam was very of the antiwar movement which was against U. S participation in the Vietnam War. He developed an interest in Jewish heritage, both personal and professional. Putnam viewed realism as a theory or belief that is objectively true or false. Like most realist he believed that knowledge was distinguishing between knowledge and mere belief. -
Metaphysical Realism
Unlike John Dewey, Putnam was against metaphysical realism at first. He recommends internal realism instead, in 1976. According to the article by Britannica; "Internal realism, was also modified. It became exceedingly clear that Putnam’s commitment to realism overrode the nuanced differences between the various versions of realism he espoused" Putnam believed the centrality of his theory of meaning to all his versions of realism was a clear indication of this core stability. -
Why There Isn't a Ready-Made World
In his book, "Why There Isn't a Ready-Made World" he distinguished his understandings of realism. He considered metaphysical realism to be complexity of human language. He believed it should be known that the same reality could be described in multiple ways. Hilary was an active philosopher of science, he believed that all knowledge was scientific. Hilary Putnam made great contributions to the philosophy of science. His commitment to objective truth helped leave an everlasting mark on history. -
Hilary Putnam Quote
“No sane person should believe that something is subjective merely because it cannot be settled beyond controversy.” -
Citations
Ben-Menahem, Yemima. “Hilary Putnam.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 July 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Hilary-Putnam#ref323608.
