Combining Texts

Ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'Every Thing Must Go' and 'Conspectus libelli (book outline)'

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3 ideas

10. Modality / B. Possibility / 6. Probability
Quantum mechanics seems to imply single-case probabilities [Ladyman/Ross]
     Full Idea: Quantum mechanics seems to imply single-case probabilities.
     From: J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 1.2.3)
     A reaction: I know they keep telling us about such things, but I remain cautious. I think all the physicists have done is delved a bit deeper into something they don't understand.
In quantum statistics, two separate classical states of affairs are treated as one [Ladyman/Ross]
     Full Idea: In quantum statistics, what would be regarded as two possible states of affairs classically is treated as one possible state of affairs.
     From: J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 3.1)
10. Modality / D. Knowledge of Modality / 2. A Priori Contingent
If we understand God and his choices, we have a priori knowledge of contingent truths [Leibniz, by Garber]
     Full Idea: Insofar as we have some insight into how God chooses, we can know a priori the laws of nature that God chooses for this best of all possible worlds. In this way, it is possible to have genuine a priori knowledge of contingent truths.
     From: report of Gottfried Leibniz (Conspectus libelli (book outline) [1678], A6.4.1998-9) by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 6
     A reaction: I think it would be doubtful whether our knowledge of God's choosings would count as a priori. How do we discover them? Ah! We derive God from the ontological argument, and his choosings from the divine perfection implied thereby.