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Synopsis - Hilary Putnam
Hilary Putnam was an American philosopher of high importance during his life. He studied a wide range of scientific thought to include math and language. -
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Developmental Ages
Putnam spent the first eight years of his life in Paris despite being born in Chicago. During this time he would bear witness to the Great Depression and philosophers such as Louis Marin and Henri Bergson. In my opinion being exposed to these types of events living in Paris helped mold his mind into the eventual philosopher he himself became. -
Mind, Language and Reality: Philosophical Papers. Vol. 2
This volume of Putnam's work theorizes that philosophy is merely the starting point of a new consensus. He states that "the layman's impatience with philosophy is very understandable" with which I agree. The fact remains that one must have the curiosity and also the mind to understand. From that point the language is developed and truthfully all will not experience the same comprehension. Putnam, Hilary (1975). Mind, Language, and Reality. Cambridge University Press. -
The Meaning of Meaning
Putnam argued that speakers must know that meanings are not "in the head". Descriptions associated with the an expression are separate of the actual meaning. Einheuser, Iris. "Hilary Putnam." Key Thinkers in Linguistics and the Philosophy of Language, Siobhan Chapman, and Christopher Routledge, Edinburgh University Press, 1st edition, 2005. Credo Reference, https://search-credoreference-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/content/entry/edinburghthinkl/hilary_putnam/0. Accessed 11 Apr. 2019. -
Mathematics, Matter and Method: Philosophical Papers. Vol. 1
Putnam uses mathematics in volume one to lay a foundation of logic from which he builds on in the volumes that follow. He discusses mathematical truth and the philosophy of logic. Putnam, Hilary (ed.) (1979).Philosophical Papers: Volume 1, Mathematics, Matter and Method. Cambridge University Press. -
Interview with Bryan Magee
I enjoyed this short clip because it not only displays Putnam's demeanor and genuine delight in these types of forums, it allows us to realize his logic in a more personal manner. In this interview clip he explains his thoughts on a standalone scientific method being used to differentiate science from non-science. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4HQZrOeZ7E] -
Realism and Reason: Philosophical Papers. Vol. 3
Volume three discusses three main positions on reference and truth; the extreme Platonist, verificationist and the moderate realist. Putnam, Hilary (1983).Realism and Reason: Philosophical Papers Vol. 3. Cambridge University Press.