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Single Idea 11166

[from 'Essence and Modality' by Kit Fine, in 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 1. Sources of Necessity ]

Full Idea

We naturally suppose, if a subject-predicate proposition is necessary, that the subject of the proposition is the source of the necessity. But that singleton 2 contains 2 is necessary, whether the number or the set is the subject of the proposition.

Gist of Idea

The subject of a proposition need not be the source of its necessity

Source

Kit Fine (Essence and Modality [1994], p. 9)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Perspectives' [-], p.9


A Reaction

A very nice addition to his general attack on the idea that essence should be accounted for in terms of his necessity. He asks a beautifully simple question: for each necessity that we accept, what is the source of that necessity?