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Full Idea
A thing can in no respect be called contingent, save in relation to the imperfection of our knowledge.
Gist of Idea
We only call things 'contingent' in relation to the imperfection of our knowledge
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], I Pr 33)
Book Ref
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.71
A Reaction
A very good remark. Growing up is largely a realisation of the necessity of human affairs that you thought could be otherwise. (Forgive the pessimism!) As metaphysics, I find this appealing, too.
| 6215 | 'Contingent' means that the cause is unperceived, not that there is no cause [Hobbes] |
| 4299 | Contingency is an illusion, resulting from our inadequate understanding [Spinoza, by Cottingham] |
| 4824 | We only call things 'contingent' in relation to the imperfection of our knowledge [Spinoza] |
| 4839 | Reason naturally regards things as necessary, and only imagination considers them contingent [Spinoza] |
| 5040 | Necessary truths can be analysed into original truths; contingent truths are infinitely analysable [Leibniz] |
| 4307 | A reason must be given why contingent beings should exist rather than not exist [Leibniz] |
| 21533 | Contingency arises from tensed verbs changing the propositions to which they refer [Russell] |
| 17693 | The necessary/contingent distinction may need to recognise possibilities as real [Armstrong] |
| 14895 | 'Superficial' contingency: false in some world; 'Deep' contingency: no obvious verification [Evans, by Macià/Garcia-Carpentiro] |
| 19660 | Possible non-being which must be realised is 'precariousness'; absolute contingency might never not-be [Meillassoux] |