Ideas from 'Does Conceivability Entail Possibility?' by David J.Chalmers [2002], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Conceivability and Possibility' (ed/tr Gendler,T.S. /Hawthorne,J) [OUP 2002,0-19-825090-8]].

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10. Modality / D. Knowledge of Modality / 4. Conceivable as Possible / a. Conceivable as possible
Modal Rationalism: conceivability gives a priori access to modal truths
                        Full Idea: Chalmers' 'modal rationalist' is one who identifies what is possible with what is conceivable; the central claim of the doctrine is that we have a priori access to modal truth.
                        From: report of David J.Chalmers (Does Conceivability Entail Possibility? [2002]) by Robert C. Stalnaker - Mere Possibilities 5
                        A reaction: A helpful clarification, as I can now see how hopelessly and utterly wrong Chalmers is (about almost everything), and I find my confidence in any sort of genuine a priori knowledge (except of conceptual relations) dwindling by the minute.
Evaluate primary possibility from some world, and secondary possibility from this world
                        Full Idea: For Chalmers, that water is XYZ is 'primary possible' (a priori, or conceptually), because it is true in some world considered as actual. It is 'secondary impossible', when it is evaluated from the Earth as actual.
                        From: report of David J.Chalmers (Does Conceivability Entail Possibility? [2002]) by Anand Vaidya - Understanding and Essence Intro
                        A reaction: [compressed] This is Chalmers' account of how we can know possibility from conceivability, via his two-dimensional semantics (see alphabetical themes).