1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910456532303321

Autore

Gardiner Mark Q (Mark Quentin), <1963->

Titolo

Semantic challenges to realism : Dummett and Putnam / / Mark Quentin Gardiner

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Toronto, [Ontario] ; ; Buffalo, [New York] ; ; London, [England] : , : University of Toronto Press, , 2000

©2000

ISBN

1-4426-7974-3

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (278 p.)

Collana

Toronto Studies in Philosophy

Disciplina

149/.2

Soggetti

Realism

Semantics (Philosophy)

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Introduction -- PART I. Dummett's Semantic Anti-Realism -- 1. Dummett's Constraints - Meaning and Metaphysics -- 2. Dummett's Critique of Semantic Realism -- 3. Responses to the Negative Program -- 4. Responses to the Positive Program -- PART II. Putnam's Internal Realism -- 5. Portraits: Metaphysical and Internal Realisms -- 6. The Model-Theoretic Argument -- 7. Brains in Vats -- 8. The Argument from Equivalence -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

Anti-realism entered the philosophical scene some twenty years ago, and has since become a widely accepted view. But although many philosophers espouse anti-realism, the only sustained arguments for the position are due to Michael Dummett and Hilary Putnam. Much discussion of their views has appeared in the journals, especially concerning some of Putnam's pithy and memorable expositions, like the 'Brain in the Vat'; however, this is the first book to provide a thorough examination and rebuttal of their arguments.Dummett's and Putnam's arguments are long, complex, and often technical. They have been developed over time, often in response to criticisms of earlier formulations or to the parallel but independent research of others, and accordingly, each of their premises gives rise to a host of issues,



questions, and concerns. Mark Gardiner guides us through this difficult terrain, discussing the abundant literature on the subject along the way. With its compelling argument and accessible style, this thorough and authoritative study will provide an important contribution to the realism/anti-realism debate.