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Single Idea 3105

[filed under theme 10. Modality / A. Necessity / 5. Metaphysical Necessity ]

Full Idea

It is metaphysically necessary that Hesperus is Phosphorus, but not logically necessary, since logical deduction could not reveal its truth, and it is not epistemologically necessary, as the ancient Greeks didn't know the identity. (Natural necessity?)

Gist of Idea

Is 'Hesperus = Phosphorus' metaphysically necessary, but not logically or epistemologically necessary?

Source

Gabriel M.A. Segal (A Slim Book about Narrow Content [2000], 1.6)

Book Ref

Segal,Gabriel M.A.: 'A Slim Book about Narrow Content' [MIT 2000], p.14