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Single Idea 15216

[filed under theme 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 4. Necessity from Concepts ]

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.

The 13 ideas with the same theme [necessity based on relations of concepts]:

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]