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Single Idea 6582

[from 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' by Robert Fogelin, in 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 3. Necessity by Convention ]

Full Idea

Convention, to exist at all, must have a basis in something that is not conventional; conventions, to work, need something nonconventional to build upon and shape.

Gist of Idea

Conventions can only work if they are based on something non-conventional

Source

Robert Fogelin (Walking the Tightrope of Reason [2003], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.75


A Reaction

Fogelin attributes his point to Hume. I agree entirely. No convention could ever possibly catch on in a society unless there were some point to it. If you can't see a point to a convention (like wearing ties) then start looking, because it's there.