Modality and explanatory reasoning / Boris Kment.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kment, Boris, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Modality (Theory of knowledge).

Reasoning.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xii, 362 pages)

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2014.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Boris Kment takes a new approach to the study of modality that emphasises the origin of modal notions in everyday thought. He argues that the concepts of necessity and possibility originate in counterfactual reasoning, which allows us to investigate explanatory connections. Contrary to accepted views, explanation is more fundamental than modality.

Contents:

Synopsis

The nature of modality

Absolute necessity and iterated modality

On the contingency of worlds

A theory of worlds

Essence, laws, and explanation

Metaphysical and nomic necessity

The standards of colseness

Clarifications, additions, and objections

Causation, nomic determination, and the counterfactual test

On the genealogy of modality

Extensions and limitations of the counterfactual test.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-19-105671-5

0-19-880317-6

0-19-175892-2

0-19-166899-0

OCLC:

895249923