Date of Birth: July 31, 1926
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: March 13, 2016
Biography
Hilary Whitehall Putnam was an American philosopher, mathematician, and computer scientist who made significant contributions to various areas of philosophy, including philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, philosophy of mathematics, and philosophy of science. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Putnam grew up in a household that fostered a deep appreciation for intellectual pursuits. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and later earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University. Putnam held teaching positions at several prominent institutions, including Northwestern University, Princeton University, and ultimately Harvard University, where he spent the majority of his career. Putnam is perhaps best known for his work in the philosophy of mind, particularly his development of functionalism and his famous “Twin Earth” thought experiment, which challenged assumptions about meaning and reference in language. Over the course of his career, Putnam shifted his views on several critical issues, demonstrating a remarkable openness to revising his positions in light of new arguments and evidence. This intellectual flexibility earned him both admiration and criticism within the academic community. In addition to his philosophical work, Putnam was deeply engaged with social and political issues. He was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War and was involved in various social justice movements throughout his life. Putnam’s legacy is preserved through his numerous influential books and articles, which continue to be widely studied and debated.
5 Interesting Facts about Hilary Putnam
1. Hilary Putnam was one of the key figures in the development of the computational theory of mind.
2. He introduced the notion of “internal realism,” a middle ground between metaphysical realism and anti-realism.
3. Putnam made significant contributions to the philosophy of science, particularly with his critique of logical positivism.
4. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the British Academy.
5. Putnam’s work on the “Twin Earth” thought experiment has had a lasting impact on theories of meaning and reference in the philosophy of language.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hilary Putnam
1. “No sane person should believe that something is right merely because it is legal.”
2. “Meaning just ain’t in the head!”
3. “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”
4. “We are all fallibilists now.”
5. “Philosophy is not a theory but an activity.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Hilary Putnam’s highest net worth is not publicly documented. As an academic and philosopher, financial gain was not a primary focus of his career.
Children
Hilary Putnam had three children: Samuel Putnam, Joshua Putnam, and Miriam Putnam.
Relevant Links
1. [Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Hilary Putnam](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/putnam/
4. [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Hilary Putnam](https://www.iep.utm.edu/putnam/
5. [PhilPapers: Works by Hilary Putnam](https://philpapers.org/s/Hilary%20Putnam
