Single Idea 14712

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 4. A Priori as Necessities]

Full Idea

The Core Thesis for rationalist 2D semantics is that for any sentence S, S is apriori iff S has a necessary 1-intension. (That is, there is no possible way the world might be that, if it actually obtained, would make S false).

Gist of Idea

A sentence is a priori if no possible way the world might actually be could make it false

Source

David J.Chalmers (Epistemic Two-Dimensional Semantics [2004], p.165), quoted by Laura Schroeter - Two-Dimensional Semantics 2.3.2

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.24


A Reaction

[The parenthesis is by Schroeter] A '1-intension' is defined by a diagonal on a 2D semantic matrix. Chalmers defends conceivability as the guide to possibility. This is a very traditional view of the a priori, expressed in modern terms.

Related Ideas

Idea 14710 Necessity is always knowable a priori, and what is known a priori is always necessary [Kant, by Schroeter]

Idea 14704 2D semantics gives us apriori knowledge of our own meanings [Schroeter]