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Full Idea
Maybe conceivability could be understood as a priori coherence, which implies possibility.
Gist of Idea
If conceivability is a priori coherence, that implies possibility
Source
Tuomas E. Tahko (The Epistemology of Essence (draft) [2013], 3.2)
A Reaction
I'm not quite sure why 'a priori' has to be there. Assessing conceivability just is assessing coherence. That couches it as a rational activity, rather than as a purely imaginary one. Trying to conceive a square circle isn't just daydreaming.
| 16975 | Essences are used to explain natural kinds, modality, and causal powers [Tahko] |
| 16976 | Scientific essentialists tend to characterise essence in terms of modality (not vice versa) [Tahko] |
| 16977 | If essence is modal and laws are necessary, essentialist knowledge is found by scientists [Tahko] |
| 16978 | If conceivability is a priori coherence, that implies possibility [Tahko] |