display all the ideas for this combination of texts
1 idea
17703 | Light in straight lines is contingent a priori; stipulated as straight, because they happen to be so [Mares] |
Full Idea: It seems natural to claim that light rays moving in straight lines is contingent but a priori. Scientists stipulate that they are the standard by which we measure straightness, but their appropriateness for this task is a contingent feature of the world. | |
From: Edwin D. Mares (A Priori [2011], 02.9) | |
A reaction: This resembles the metre rule in Paris. It is contingent that something is a certain way, so we make being that way a conventional truth, which can therefore be known via the convention, rather than via the contingent fact. |