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Single Idea 14251

[catalogued under 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 4. Ontological Dependence]

Full Idea

A natural account of dependence in terms of modality and existence is that one thing x will depend on another thing y just in case it is necessary that y exists if x exists (or in the symbolism of modal logic, □(Ex→Ey).

Gist of Idea

A natural modal account of dependence says x depends on y if y must exist when x does

Source

Kit Fine (Ontological Dependence [1995], I)

Book Reference

-: 'Aristotelian Society' [], p.270


A Reaction

He is going to criticise this view (which he traces back to Aristotle and Husserl). It immediately seems possible that there might be counterexamples. x might depend on y, but not necessarily depend on y. Necessities may not produce dependence.