Single Idea 15233

[catalogued under 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 3. Necessity by Convention]

Full Idea

When a natural necessity is used as the basis for the inclusion or exclusion of the appropriate predicate in the meaning of a concept of a kind of particular, then it is conceptually necessary that that kind of particular has that property or power.

Gist of Idea

If natural necessity is used to include or exclude some predicate, the predicate is conceptually necessary

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 one of the bolder views of Harré and Madden, since many philosophers would say that conceptual necessity rests entirely on convention rather than on nature. We could cut them out by just saying that most of our conventions rest on nature.

Related Idea

Idea 15235 There is a conceptual necessity when properties become a standard part of a nominal essence [Harré/Madden]