Single Idea 9505

[catalogued under 10. Modality / D. Knowledge of Modality / 4. Conceivable as Possible / a. Conceivable as possible]

Full Idea

Whereas the link between imaginability and possibility was once held, under the influence of empiricism, to be close, it is now widely held to be very remote.

Gist of Idea

Empiricist saw imaginability and possibility as close, but now they seem remote

Source

Alexander Bird (Nature's Metaphysics [2007], 8)

Book Reference

Bird,Alexander: 'Nature's Metaphysics' [OUP 2007], p.170


A Reaction

Tim Williamson nicely argues the opposite - that assessment of possibility is an adjunct of our ability to think counterfactually, which is precisely an operation of the imagination. Big error is possible, but how else could we do it?