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The Life of Hilary Putnam
Hilary Putnam was an American philosopher who made significant contributions to the Philosophy of Science and Epistemology. He also made contributions to the Philosophies of Language, Mind and Mathematics. His writings are highly influential on the field of Philosophy as a whole. One of his most remarkable qualities was his ruthless self-critique of his own positions which caused him to change his positions frequently. Putnam respected the sciences but was a staunch critic of scientism. -
The Meaning of the Concept of Probability in Application to Finite Sequences
Later republished in 1990, this is Putnam's first publication which he wrote as his PhD thesis dissertation. As the name suggests, it is more focused on the Philosophy of Mathematics than of Science. However, like much of Putnam's later work, it examines the underlying meaning of many concepts we take for granted when we think of mathematics, which is itself a theoretical science. Putnam, Hilary (1990). The Meaning of the Concept of Probability in Application to Finite Sequences. Routledge. -
Philosophy of Logic
Although Putnam published other works previously regarding the Mathematics and Linguistics, Philosophy of Logic is his first epistemological and ontological publication. In this work, Putnam questions the very existence of what he calls "abstract entities" that form the basis of logic and mathematics and whether they are useful at all as tools for understanding reality. Putnam, Hilary (1971). Philosophy of logic. London,: Allen & Unwin. Edited by Stephen Laurence & Cynthia Macdonald. -
Reason, Truth, and History
Reason, Truth, and History is perhaps Putnam's most influential and well known work. In this book, Putnam tackles some of the biggest questions in the nature of truth, knowledge, and rationality. It is in this book that Putnam makes his well known critique of the famous 'Brain in a Vat' thought experiment where he challenges the coherence of its premise. Putnam, Hilary (1981). Reason, truth, and history. New York: Cambridge University Press. -
Renewing Philosophy
'Renewing Philosophy' is one of Putnam's most influential books. In this book, Putnam challenges the idea that science is the only way to investigate philosophical questions and argues that philosophy can be an effective method for understanding complicated concepts like religion, artificial intelligence, and evolution. Putnam, Hilary. Renewing Philosophy. Harvard University Press, 1992, https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674042384. -
Hilary Putnam on the Fact Value Dichotomy and Bad Philosophy
Putnam was known for his unrelenting critique of any philosophical idea (his own ideas included) to find their flaws and weaknesses and formulate better ideas. The short video linked below gives a good sampling of this. In the video, he speaks about the importance of practicing good, well reasoned philosophy and also of the willingness to point out and leave behind bad ideas put forth by non-philosophers who masquerade as philosophers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLJfEVu3kbY -
Pragmatism as a Way of Life
Putnam's final work, published posthumously. It was intended as a sort of manifesto of what Putnam wanted Philosophy to be like in the future. While still respectful of the sciences, it pushes back against the concept of scientism. Putnam, Hilary & Putnam, Ruth Anna (2017). Pragmatism as a Way of Life: The Lasting Legacy of William James and John Dewey, D. Macarthur (ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. Edited by Ruth Anna Putnam & David Macarthur.