Preface

Summary

This book is principally for readers interested in modern philosophy who may know little about what precise developments have characterized the subject in the past fifty years, but who wish to learn more, and are prepared to do so via engagement with the writings of a leading and representative figure.

I have tried to explain what distinguishes the contributions made by Hilary Putnam from those of his immediate philosophical ancestors and descendants, and to maintain continuity of theme. The treatment is cumulative. The first part describes salient elements of the philosophical context in which Putnam has worked, elements which have helped develop the character of his thought, the second subject of discussion, a character which has in turn determined the particular contents of his work, those arguments and conclusions which define his main contributions to philosophy and to which the latter parts of the book are devoted.

The main argument of the book is that we should interpret Putnam in a new way. Current debates place undue emphasis on peripheral matters, tending to distort, ignore or hide his most significant contributions. His principal concern is with the question of how it is possible for our thought and talk to be about reality. He has contributed greatly to our awareness of the depths to which the philosophical problems run here, of the value of certain approaches to the questions arising, and of the emptiness of others.