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Single Idea 15722

[filed under theme 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 8. Conditionals / e. Supposition conditionals ]

Full Idea

The ordinary conditional loses its point when the truth value of its antecedent is known.

Gist of Idea

Conditionals are pointless if the truth value of the antecedent is known

Source

Willard Quine (Word and Object [1960], §46)

Book Ref

Quine,Willard: 'Word and Object' [MIT 1969], p.221

A Reaction

A beautifully simple point that reveals a lot about what conditionals are.

The 6 ideas with the same theme [conditionals only interested in true antecedents]:

19232 In ordinary language a conditional statement assumes that the antecedent is true [Peirce]
14279 Asking 'If p, will q?' when p is uncertain, then first add p hypothetically to your knowledge [Ramsey]
22432 Normally conditionals have no truth value; it is the consequent which has a conditional truth value [Quine]
15722 Conditionals are pointless if the truth value of the antecedent is known [Quine]
14282 On the supposition view, believe if A,B to the extent that A&B is nearly as likely as A [Edgington]
13854 Conditionals express what would be the outcome, given some supposition [Edgington]