PUTNAM ON MEANING AND REALITY

Author(s): ADRIAN CONSTANTINESCU
Journal: Analysis and Metaphysics
ISSN: 1584-0778
Year: 2006
Volume: 5
Issue: -1
Full text: http://www.denbridgepress.com/am_abstract.php?a=61
Publisher: Denbridge Press - New York
Abstract: ABSTRACT. Putnam does not accept meanings as entities that fix reference but takes them to be largely determined by causal connections. Putnam explains how a particular reference relation gets attached to our words; to say that what does the attaching is the fact that certain sentences are true is flagrantly circular. Putnam devises science fiction cases, from the robot cat case to the twin earth case, that are counter examples to the traditional theory of meaning.