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Full Idea
The question about conceptual necessity is whether it is only stipulative and conventional in character or whether it mirrors something about the nature of physical systems.
Gist of Idea
Is conceptual necessity just conventional, or does it mirror something about nature?
Source
Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 1.II.A)
Book Ref
Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.10
A Reaction
This is the key question, which fans of conventionalism (such as Sidelle) don't seem to face up to. I take it to be important that our concepts are not created by a committee of fools, but by people constantly relating to the world.
24030 | 3+4=7 is necessary because we cannot conceive of seven without including three and four [Descartes] |
18796 | Formal experience conditions show what is possible, and general conditions what is necessary [Kant] |
22018 | Necessary truths derive from basic assertion and negation [Fichte, by Pinkard] |
15216 | Is conceptual necessity just conventional, or does it mirror something about nature? [Harré/Madden] |
15235 | There is a conceptual necessity when properties become a standard part of a nominal essence [Harré/Madden] |
16422 | The necessity of a proposition concerns reality, not our words or concepts [Stalnaker] |
16423 | Conceptual possibilities are metaphysical possibilities we can conceive of [Stalnaker] |
13810 | The source of de dicto necessity is not concepts, but the actual properties of the thing [Forbes,G] |
12028 | De re necessity is a form of conceptual necessity, just as de dicto necessity is [Forbes,G] |
11169 | Conceptual necessities rest on the nature of all concepts [Fine,K] |
15087 | Conceptual necessities are made true by all concepts [Hale] |
12436 | Concept-identities explain how we know necessities, not why they are necessary [Hale] |
15033 | Humeans says mathematics and logic are necessary because that is how our concept of necessity works [Sider] |