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Born
Hilary Putnam was born July 31st, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois -
Machine State Functionalism
In 1967, Putnam described what he called machine state functionalism, where he argued that a mind is similar to computer in the sense that if a computer (mind) receives in an input(external stimuli), then the mind will develop a series of outputs or responses that it can produce. -
Semantic Externalism
In 1975, Putnam published "The Meaning of Meaning", where he describes Semantic Externalism, considered by many as his biggest contribution to the philosophy of language. He begins by saying that "meaning just ain't in the head" and goes on by using his "twin earth" thought experiment, described below in this video. Attached is a video for the twin thought experiment: https://youtu.be/KE8NL9G_Fq8 -
Brain in a Vat
In Putnam's "Reason, Truth, and History", he describes his "Brain in a Vat" thought experiment. For his experiment, he explains that the idea "we are brains in a vat" is false, and that it is true, then it can be deduced as contradictory. -
Internal Realism
In 1983, Putnam published "Why There isn't a Ready Made World", where he sought to distinguish his idea of realism. He goes to criticize what is known as "metaphysical realism", saying that it is blind to the complexity of human language, as well as blind to the fact that the same reality can be described in different ways (Encyclopedia Brittannica). -
Death
Hilary Putnam died on March 13th, 2016 in his home in Arlington, Massachussetts