Hilary Putnam's work arguing against metaphysical realism and for internal realism, containing the famous brain-in-a-vat self-refutation argument.
Develops internal realism: truth is not correspondence to a mind-independent reality but ideal rational acceptability within a theory. The brain-in-a-vat argument: semantic externalism self-refutes global skepticism. Facts and values are entangled: thick ethical concepts (cruel, courageous) mix fact and value inseparably.
No conceptual lineage found.
No recorded contemporaries.
No recorded minds influenced.
No conceptual posterity found.
Discussing
Ask anything about Reason, Truth and History — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.
Sign in to start a conversation.