Single Idea 15179

[catalogued under 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 3. Necessity by Convention]

Full Idea

What we need to know, in order to know what is empirically necessary, is some empirical fact plus our conventions that tell us which truths are necessary given which empirical facts.

Gist of Idea

To know empirical necessities, we need empirical facts, plus conventions about which are necessary

Source

Alan Sidelle (Necessity, Essence and Individuation [1989], Ch.4)

Book Reference

Sidelle,Alan: 'Necessity, Essence and Individuation' [Cornell 1989], p.100


A Reaction

I take this attack on a posteriori necessities to be the most persuasive part of Sidelle's case, but you can't just put all of our truths down to convention. There are stabilities in the world, as well as in our conventions.