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Single Idea 6886

[from 'Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy' by Thomas Mautner, in 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 9. Counterfactuals ]

Full Idea

One view of counterfactuals says they are not true, but are merely valid.

Clarification

'Valid' means logically legitimately (rather than being actually the case)

Gist of Idea

Counterfactuals are not true, they are merely valid

Source

Thomas Mautner (Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy [1996], p.114)

Book Reference

Mautner,Thomas: 'Dictionary of Philosophy' [Penguin 1997], p.114


A Reaction

This makes counterfactuals a branch of logic rather than of metaphysics. I find the metaphysical view more exciting as they are part of speculation and are beyond the capacity of computers (which I suspect they are).