Philosophical Papers: Volume 1, Mathematics, Matter and Method

'Professor Putnam presents a powerful, coherent and persuasive system of thought. Ranging widely over the topics mentioned in their titles, the two volumes of essays yet have a remarkable degree of unity. Their themes overlap and are linked, as philosophical themes, seriously handled, must always overlap and be linked. In a period in which the general level of philosophical competence, as evidence in publication, is extremely high, Putnam's work stands conspicuously out by virtue of its combination of technical sophistication, clear-sightedness, depth and power. Nothing of what he says is trivial, most of it is true and all parts of it are systematically interconnected. His prose-lucid, lively and unpretentious - is an excellent medium for his thought.' P. F. Strawson, The Times Literary Supplement

• 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 Grünbaum's philosophy of geometry; 7. A philosopher looks at quantum mechanics; 8. Discussion: comments on comments on comments: a reply to Margenau and Wigner; 9. Three-valued logic; 10. The logic of quantum mechanics; 11. Time and physical geometry; 12. Memo on 'conventionalism'; 13. What theories are not; 14. Craig's theorem; 15. It ain't necessarily so; 16. The 'corroboration' of theories; 17. 'Degree of confirmation' and inductive logic; 18. Probability and confirmation; 19. On properties; 20. Philosophy of logic; Bibliography; Index.