Single Idea 12432

[catalogued under 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 1. Sources of Necessity]

Full Idea

The dilemma is that to give the ultimate source of any necessity, we must either appeal to something which could not have been otherwise (i.e. is itself necessary), or advert to something which could have been otherwise (i.e. is itself merely contingent).

Gist of Idea

Explanation of necessity must rest on something necessary or something contingent

Source

Bob Hale (The Source of Necessity [2002], p.301)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Perspectives' [-], p.301


A Reaction

[Hale is summarising Blackburn's view, and going on to disagree with it] Hale looks for a third way, but Blackburn seems to face us with quite a plausible dilemma.