Single Idea 15232

[catalogued under 10. Modality / A. Necessity / 7. Natural Necessity]

Full Idea

When the natures of the operative powerful particulars, the constraining or stimulating effect of conditions and so on are offered as the grounds for the judgement that a certain effect cannot but happen (or fail), we have natural necessity.

Gist of Idea

Natural necessity is when powerful particulars must produce certain results in a situation

Source

Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 1.V.B)

Book Reference

Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.20


A Reaction

This is the view I subscribe to, the really right bit of scientific essentialism. Can this view be proved? Hm. I take the opposite view to be the misguided Humean idea that if you can imagine it not happening, then it might not happen. Firey furnace.