Single Idea 12436

[catalogued under 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 4. Necessity from Concepts]

Full Idea

It seems to me that identity-relations among concepts have more to do with explaining how we know that vixens are female foxes etc., than with explaining why it is necessary, and, more generally, with explaining why some necessities are knowable a priori.

Gist of Idea

Concept-identities explain how we know necessities, not why they are necessary

Source

Bob Hale (The Source of Necessity [2002], P.313)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Perspectives' [-], p.313


A Reaction

Hale rejects the conceptual and conventional accounts of necessity, in favour of the essentialist view. This strikes me as a good suggestion of Hale's, since I agree with him about the essentialism.