Single Idea 15288

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

Full Idea

At the basis of all doubts about the rationality of science lies the idea that there is no rational resting place between logical necessity and absolute contingency.

Gist of Idea

People doubt science because if it isn't logically necessary it seems to be absolutely contingent

Source

Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 7.III)

Book Reference

Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.129


A Reaction

I'm struck by the fact that when someone says "I have to go now", they express a necessity. Are there thousands of types of necessity, or one conditional necessity resting on thousands of different foundations?