PHIL 200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Twin Earth Thought Experiment, Hilary Putnam
Document Summary
Metaphysics: study of what exists and basic properties/activities of those things. What is it to be a person, related to existence (being a body vs. mind) People/things exist over time in spite of changes. Existing continuously over time fundamental properties: they come from categories category membership is basic of what exists. Putnam is interested in water, how we understand meaning of the word water. Puzzle about meaning of words sometimes we use one word/concept to refer to a variety of things when we think they"re all the same kind of thing (classic metaphysics puzzle) example. Concept closely related to words but is independent example. concept of water context/meaning of word. One thing is blue, another thing is blue, what is it that ties them together to make them the same blue? . Mammals talking about real existing creatures or mammals just a thought in our minds.
