more from Harré,R./Madden,E.H.

Single Idea 15291

[catalogued under 10. Modality / A. Necessity / 3. Types of Necessity]

Full Idea

In addition to absolute necessity ('p is strictly implied by ¬p'), i.e. p strictly implied by any proposition whatever, C.I. Lewis also distinguished relative necessity ('p implied by what is given or known').

Gist of Idea

There is 'absolute' necessity (implied by all propositions) and 'relative' necessity (from what is given)

Source

Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 7.V)

Book Reference

Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.132


A Reaction

Once you accept this distinction you find that the 'relative' one comes in all sorts of degrees. You "have to" put more salt in this soup. (Deontic' necessity, someone on Twitter tells me!)

Related Idea

Idea 19286 'Absolute necessity' is when there is no restriction on the things which necessitate p [Hale]