Single Idea 23657

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 5. Linguistic Analysis]

Full Idea

If all truths were necessary truths, there would be no occasion for different tenses in the verbs by which they are expressed.

Gist of Idea

The existence of tensed verbs shows that not all truths are necessary truths

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 6: Judgement [1785], 5)

Book Reference

Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.266


A Reaction

This really is like modern linguistic analysis. Of course the tensed verbs might only indicate times when the universal necessities have been noticed by speakers. …But then the noticing would be contingent!