Single Idea 5738

[catalogued under 10. Modality / A. Necessity / 2. Nature of Necessity]

Full Idea

We may have fairly firm beliefs as to whether or not P is necessary, but many of us find ourselves at a complete loss when wondering whether or not P is necessarily necessary.

Gist of Idea

We may be sure that P is necessary, but is it necessarily necessary?

Source

Joseph Melia (Modality [2003], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Melia,Joseph: 'Modality' [Acumen 2003], p.28


A Reaction

I think it is questions like this which are pushing philosophy back towards some sort of rationalism. See Idea 3651, for example. A regress of necessities would be mad, so necessity must be taken as self-evident (in itself, though maybe not to us).

Related Idea

Idea 3651 Perceiving necessary connections is the essence of reasoning [Bonjour]