Hilary Whitehall Putnam

Hilary Putnam Born

Jul 31, 1926

Mr.Putnam was born on 31 July 1926 in Chicago, Illinois.

Schooling over the years

1951

Early on he studied mathematics and philosophy. He then went to Harvard to study philosophy after completing his undergraduate. Afterwards he went to the University of Los Angeles to finish his graduate degree. There is where he wrote the concept of probability and earned his Ph.D.

Semantic Externalism

1973

He is known for his studies in semantic externalism. The theory states that not all thoughts are solely in the brain or in the creature. However, thoughts are also external. This theory was held above functionalism.

Brains in a Vat

1973

See the video of Putman's Brain in a Vat theory. The theory states that the brain is just in a fluid and that there are wires from our brain in and out of a computer. We exist but, really our world is just an image, such as the computer stimulates the image. He uses his hand in a motion for example and says our brain just sees at face value, however, there's more than that. This theory is incredibly enlightening.
Brain in a Vat

Philosophy of the Mind

1973

He created the term functionalism. Functionalism tries to define mental states relative to other mental states or behaviors. This then lead to the creation of Brain in a Vat.

Teaching

1976

He decided to teach at Princeton, MIT and Northwestern University over the following years and ended his teaching in 1976.

Hilary Putnam Died

Mar 13, 2016

Died at his home in Massachusetts.

Citations

Mar 8, 2020

Philosophy Of Mind
Yemima Ben-Menahem - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hilary-Putnam/Philosophy-of-mind
Hilary Putnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Putnam
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuDH3aYWeU8