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Philosophy of Mind Hilary Putnam Born 31Jul1926 - Died 13Mar2016
Another area of contribution by Putnam is philosophy of the mind. He introduced his doctrine of the mind known as functionalism. Which seeks to explain the mental operations of the mind. He asserts our mind is not characterized by the substance that it is made up of but, its “functions and functional organization” (Menahem). In summary of this doctrine, he attempts to say that mental workings are not comparable to physical functioning as a computer system (psychophysical reductionism). -
Metaphysical Realism Hilary Putnam Born 31Jul1926 - Died 13Mar2016
A very important change occurred in 1976 when Putnam launched an attack on the view he called “metaphysical realism.” In which he shares that internal realism should be used instead. He is known to always reflect on his previous philosophies and modified them with his deepened understanding even further. His take is that, meanings is not as purely mental entities or just conceptual ideas but as being attached to our external reality. -
Cont'd Metaphysical Realism Hilary Putnam Born 31Jul1926 - Died 13Mar2016
This idea, known as “semantic externalism”, it can be used as a foundation for seeing truth and knowledge as being objective. This supports his realism, which he used to argue against logical positivist who used verificationist theory of meaning instead. -
Video on Functionalism
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Fact and Value Hilary Putnam Born 31Jul1926 - Died 13Mar2016
Putnam was inclined to Marxism but as time went by, he never committed to materialism and distanced himself with a clear intention with distinctions between what is factual and what should be norms or values. He shares that human language has both aspect of factuality and value laden, and we cannot separate these two things hence our internal understanding of belief and knowledge is impactful.