Single Idea 14309

[catalogued under 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 8. Conditionals / c. Truth-function conditionals]

Full Idea

If a conditional remains truth-functional it is incapable of expressing the fact that the connection between antecedent and consequent in the conditional is a causal one rather than merely accidental

Gist of Idea

Truth-functional conditionals can't distinguish whether they are causal or accidental

Source

Stephen Mumford (Dispositions [1998], 03.8)

Book Reference

Mumford,Stephen: 'Dispositions' [OUP 1998], p.60


A Reaction

This is the first step towards an account of conditionals which will work in real life rather than merely in classical logic.

Related Ideas

Idea 14311 Dispositions are not equivalent to stronger-than-material conditionals [Mumford]

Idea 13764 Are conditionals truth-functional - do the truth values of A and B determine the truth value of 'If A, B'? [Edgington]