Single Idea 12429

[catalogued under 10. Modality / D. Knowledge of Modality / 2. A Priori Contingent]

Full Idea

What is known a priori may not be necessary, if we know a priori that we ourselves exist and are actual.

Gist of Idea

Knowing our own existence is a priori, but not necessary

Source

Philip Kitcher (A Priori Knowledge Revisited [2000], §II)

Book Reference

'New Essays on the A Priori', ed/tr. Boghossian,P /Peacocke,C [OUP 2000], p.69


A Reaction

Compare Idea 12428, which challenges the inverse of this relationship. This one looks equally convincing, and Kripke adds other examples of contingent a priori truths, such as those referring to the metre rule in Paris.

Related Idea

Idea 12428 Many necessities are inexpressible, and unknowable a priori [Kitcher]