Philosophical Papers Volume 1, Mathematics, Matter and Method [Paperback]

This volume deals with the philosophy of mathematics and of science and the nature of philosophical and scientific enquiry.The volumes in this series bring together the papers of one of America's most distinguished philosophers. The first two volumes, which appeared in 1975, marked his highly significant and original contribution in a number of related fields and were praised for their technical sophistication, clear-sightedness, depth, and power. The third volume contains the major essays written since then and reveals modifications of and amplifications on some of Professor Putnam's beliefs.The volumes in this series bring together the papers of one of America's most distinguished philosophers. The first two volumes, which appeared in 1975, marked his highly significant and original contribution in a number of related fields and were praised for their technical sophistication, clear-sightedness, depth, and power. The third volume contains the major essays written since then and reveals modifications of and amplifications on some of Professor Putnam's beliefs.Professor Hilary Putnam has been one of the most influential and sharply original of recent American philosophers in a whole range of fields. His most important published work is collected here, together with several new and substantial studies, in two volumes. The first deals with the philosophy of mathematics and of science and the nature of philosophical and scientific enquiry; the second deals with the philosophy of language and mind. Volume one is now issued in a new edition, including an essay on the philosophy of logic first published in 1971.Introduction; 1. Truth and necessity in mathematics; 2. The thesis that mathematics is logic; 3. Mathematics without foundations; 4. What is mathematical truth?; 5. Philosophy of physics; 6. An examination of Gr?nbaum's philosophy of geometry; 7. A philosopher looks at quantum mechanics; 8. Discussion: comments on comments on comments: a reply to Margenau andlã(