Does perception give me any reason to believe in an external world, or could I be a ‘brain in a vat’ that is fed information by a malicious (or benevolent) scientist? And if I were such a brain, could I ever say or think this? This is just one puzzle raised by the Harvard philosopher Hilary Putnam, who died last year. Though its origins are in Augustine and Descartes, Putnam revolutionised its implications for our understanding of knowledge, language, and the mind. We bring together a distinguished panel to discuss his life and work.

Julian Baggini (@microphilosophy) is a writer and Editor-in-Chief ofThe Philosophers’ Magazine.

Jesper Kallestrup is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.

Chris Norris is Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy at Cardiff University.

Sarah Sawyer is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Sussex.

Peter Dennis is Fellow, Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, LSE and Forum for European Philosophy Fellow.

The Forum for European Philosophy (@ForumPhilosophy) is an educational charity that organises a full and varied programme of philosophy and interdisciplinary events in the UK. 

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Podcast

A podcast of this event is available to download from Brain in a Vat and Other Stories: a celebration of Hilary Putnam

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