Single Idea 15242

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

Full Idea

Described as a man it is quite contingent that he has a child, but described as a father it is conceptually necessary that he has a child. But that conceptual necessity is a reflection of the natural necessity of the father's role in reproduction.

Gist of Idea

Having a child is contingent for a 'man', necessary for a 'father'; the latter reflects a necessity of nature

Source

Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 3.I)

Book Reference

Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.48


A Reaction

This is a (good) response to Quine's claim that necessity depends entirely on the mode of description (and his mathematician cyclist example).

Related Idea

Idea 8482 Mathematicians must be rational but not two-legged, cyclists the opposite. So a mathematical cyclist? [Quine]