_Could Have_ and _Would Have_

Authors: Salmón, Nathan
Cited by: 0

Abstract

An alternative to the classical Stalnaker-Lewis account of subjunctive conditionals is outlined. A distinction is drawn between a basic notion of “wouldness” and a more full-bloodedly modal variant, each with its own logic. Previous philosophers have challenged the alleged vacuity of counterpossibles using logico-mathematically impossible worlds. Here the vacuity thesis as well as other orthodox alleged logical principles are challenged instead through consideration of a logico-mathematically possible world. The impossible-world theorist’s Strangeness of Impossibility Condition is also challenged using the same logico-mathematically possible world. The dogma that the truth-condition of a subjunctive invokes the antecedent worlds sufficiently “closest” to (most like) the actual world is also challenged through consideration of the same logico-mathematically possible world. The dogma is a variation on Lewis’s counterpart theory, and is flawed in the same way.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Philosophy and Theoretical Science Philosophical Ethics and Theory Wittgensteinian philosophy and applications

Publication details

Journal / source
PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation)
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN