Single Idea 8431

[catalogued under 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 9. Counterfactuals]

Full Idea

In reaction to two classic difficulties in Goodman's treatment of counterfactuals - the contenability problem and the explication of law - a radically different approach was instigated by Stalnaker (1968) and has been developed by Lewis.

Clarification

'contenability' concerns what other propositions are true if the counterfactual is

Gist of Idea

Problems with Goodman's view of counterfactuals led to a radical approach from Stalnaker and Lewis

Source

Paul Horwich (Lewis's Programme [1987], p208)

Book Reference

'Causation', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Tooley,M. [OUP 1993], p.208


A Reaction

[I record this for study purposes]

Related Idea

Idea 12191 Counterfactuals are true if logical or natural laws imply the consequence [Goodman, by McFetridge]