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Single Idea 12204

[filed under theme 4. Formal Logic / D. Modal Logic ML / 3. Modal Logic Systems / h. System S5 ]

Full Idea

It is a widely accepted thesis that the logic of metaphysical necessity is S5.

Gist of Idea

The logic of metaphysical necessity is S5

Source

Ian Rumfitt (Logical Necessity [2010], §5)

Book Ref

'Modality', ed/tr. Hale,B/Hoffman,A [OUP 2010], p.61


A Reaction

Rumfitt goes on to defend this standard view (against Dummett's defence of S4). The point, I take it, is that one can only assert that something is 'true in all possible worlds' only when the worlds are all accessible to one another.


The 11 ideas from 'Logical Necessity'

A distinctive type of necessity is found in logical consequence [Rumfitt, by Hale/Hoffmann,A]
Logical necessity is when 'necessarily A' implies 'not-A is contradictory' [Rumfitt]
Contradictions include 'This is red and not coloured', as well as the formal 'B and not-B' [Rumfitt]
Soundness in argument varies with context, and may be achieved very informally indeed [Rumfitt]
Geometrical axioms in logic are nowadays replaced by inference rules (which imply the logical truths) [Rumfitt]
There is a modal element in consequence, in assessing reasoning from suppositions [Rumfitt]
We reject deductions by bad consequence, so logical consequence can't be deduction [Rumfitt]
A logically necessary statement need not be a priori, as it could be unknowable [Rumfitt]
Narrow non-modal logical necessity may be metaphysical, but real logical necessity is not [Rumfitt]
If a world is a fully determinate way things could have been, can anyone consider such a thing? [Rumfitt]
The logic of metaphysical necessity is S5 [Rumfitt]