Interpreting Putnam

Hilary Putnam is widely regarded as one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century. This volume deals with the manifold aspects of Putnam’s philosophy, either by reconstructing its internal evolution or by showing its originality and relevance for contemporary debates.

Putnam’s contributions have had a profound impact across a wide range of philosophical subdisciplines. His thought, therefore, poses a challenge to the drive toward specialization that characterizes contemporary philosophy. As he openly argues in Realism with a Human Face, philosophical reflection must satisfy two equally legitimate demands: the scholastic conception of philosophy suggests that efforts should be directed towards the solution of tiny and neatly defined problems, while the cosmic conception urges us to address the general question of how knowledge relates to the essential ends of human reason. To reflect on Putnam’s philosophy, therefore, is to reflect on how philosophical work should be done. The chapters in this volume feature a pluralistic approach that attempts to cover the whole spectrum of Putnam's philosophy, from his work in epistemology, philosophy of science, and philosophy of mind, to his reflections on ethics, pragmatism, Jewish philosophy, religion, and politics. Taken together, the chapters not only recognize the limits, challenges, and fruitfulness of Putnam’s thought, but also provide novel assessments of his philosophy and use it as a springboard for developing new and original theoretical insights.

Interpreting Putnam will appeal to scholars and advanced students working in philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, ethics, philosophy of religion, political philosophy, pragmatism, history of analytic philosophy, and American philosophy.