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Single Idea 20388

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 3. Analysis of Preconditions ]

Full Idea

A 'necessary' condition for something's being an X is condition that all Xs must satisfy. ...A 'sufficient' condition for something's being an X is a condition that, when satisfied, guarantees that what satisfies it is an X.

Gist of Idea

'Necessary' conditions are requirements, and 'sufficient' conditions are guarantees

Source

Stephen Davies (The Philosophy of Art (2nd ed) [2016], 2.1)

Book Ref

Davies,Stephen: 'The Philosophy of Art (2nd ed)' [Wiley Blackwell 2016], p.24


A Reaction

By summarising this I arrive at the requirement/guarantee formulation, which I am rather pleased with. What is required for rain, and what guarantees rain?

Related Idea

Idea 20389 A definition of a thing gives all the requirements which add up to a guarantee of it [Davies,S]