A philosopher’s greatness can also be measured by the interest she has aroused during her lifetime, and this interest can likewise be gauged by the extent of both her debates with fellow philosophers and the issues discussed. If this is true, Hilary Putnam undoubtedly qualifies as a great philosopher.
Consider the volume reviewed here, published six years after Putnam’s death, which collects 35 papers he devoted to discussions with as many colleagues, plus one (the final) in which he describes twelve philosophers who played a role in shaping his…
˜