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Single Idea 12205

[filed under theme 10. Modality / A. Necessity / 1. Types of Modality ]

Full Idea

In my view, there are two independent families of modal notions, metaphysical and epistemic, neither stronger than the other.

Gist of Idea

There are two families of modal notions, metaphysical and epistemic, of equal strength

Source

Dorothy Edgington (Two Kinds of Possibility [2004], Abs)


A Reaction

My immediate reaction is that epistemic necessity is not necessity at all. 'For all I know' 2 plus 2 might really be 95, and squares may also be circular.


The 4 ideas from 'Two Kinds of Possibility'

Metaphysical possibility is discovered empirically, and is contrained by nature [Edgington]
Broadly logical necessity (i.e. not necessarily formal logical necessity) is an epistemic notion [Edgington]
An argument is only valid if it is epistemically (a priori) necessary [Edgington]
There are two families of modal notions, metaphysical and epistemic, of equal strength [Edgington]