more from Gideon Rosen

Single Idea 14094

[catalogued under 10. Modality / A. Necessity / 5. Metaphysical Necessity]

Full Idea

Many of our best words in philosophy do not admit of definition, the notion of metaphysical 'necessity' being one pertinent example.

Gist of Idea

The excellent notion of metaphysical 'necessity' cannot be defined

Source

Gideon Rosen (Metaphysical Dependence [2010], 03)

Book Reference

'Modality', ed/tr. Hale,B/Hoffman,A [OUP 2010], p.113


A Reaction

Rosen is busy defending words in metaphysics which cannot be pinned down with logical rigour. We are allowed to write □ for 'necessary', and it is accepted by logicians as being stable in a language.