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Single Idea 16465

[from 'Mere Possibilities' by Robert C. Stalnaker, in 5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 2. Logical Connectives / e. or ]

Full Idea

In 'either Socrates was a philosopher or someone other than Socrates was a philosopher', both propositions expressed by the disjuncts depend for their existence on the existence of Socrates, but the whole disjunction does not.

Gist of Idea

In 'S was F or some other than S was F', the disjuncts need S, but the whole disjunction doesn't

Source

Robert C. Stalnaker (Mere Possibilities [2012], 4.2)

Book Reference

Stalnaker,Robert C.: 'Mere Possibilities' [Princeton 2012], p.100


A Reaction

Nice example, just the sort of thing we pay philosophers to come up with. He is claiming that propositions can exist in possible worlds in which the individuals mentioned do not exist.