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Single Idea 15091

[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / I. Semantics of Logic / 3. Logical Truth ]

Full Idea

I favour restricting the term 'logical truth' to what logicians would count as such, excluding both analytic truths like 'Bachelors are unmarried' and Kripkean necessities like 'Gold is an element'.

Gist of Idea

Restrict 'logical truth' to formal logic, rather than including analytic and metaphysical truths

Source

Sydney Shoemaker (Causal and Metaphysical Necessity [1998], I)

Book Ref

Shoemaker,Sydney: 'Identity, Cause and Mind' [OUP 2003], p.408


A Reaction

I agree. There is a tendency to splash the phrases 'logical truth' and 'logical necessity around in vague ways. I take them to strictly arise out of the requirements of formal systems of logic.


The 10 ideas from 'Causal and Metaphysical Necessity'

Restrict 'logical truth' to formal logic, rather than including analytic and metaphysical truths [Shoemaker]
We might say laws are necessary by combining causal properties with Armstrong-Dretske-Tooley laws [Shoemaker]
'Grue' only has causal features because of its relation to green [Shoemaker]
A property's causal features are essential, and only they fix its identity [Shoemaker]
I claim that a property has its causal features in all possible worlds [Shoemaker]
I now deny that properties are cluster of powers, and take causal properties as basic [Shoemaker]
If something is possible, but not nomologically possible, we need metaphysical possibility [Shoemaker]
Empirical evidence shows that imagining a phenomenon can show it is possible [Shoemaker]
Imagination reveals conceptual possibility, where descriptions avoid contradiction or incoherence [Shoemaker]
Once you give up necessity as a priori, causal necessity becomes the main type of necessity [Shoemaker]