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What does nihilism tell us about modal logic?
- Source :
-
Philosophical Studies . Aug2024, Vol. 181 Issue 8, p1851-1875. 25p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Brauer (Philos Stud 179:2751–2763, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-022-01793-7, 2022) has recently argued that if it is possible that there is nothing, then the correct modal logic for metaphysical modality cannot include D. Here, I argue that Brauer's argument is unsuccessful; or at the very least significantly weaker than presented. First, I outline a simple argument for why it is not possible that there is nothing. I note that this argument has a well-known solution involving the distinction between truth in and truth at a possible world. However, I then argue that once the semantics presupposed by Brauer's argument is reformulated in terms of truth at a world, we have good reasons to think that a crucial semantic premise in Brauer's argument should be rejected in favour of an alternative. Brauer's argument is, however, no longer valid with this alternative premise. Thus, plausibly Brauer's argument against D is only valid, if it is not sound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *NIHILISM (Philosophy)
*MODAL logic
*POSSIBLE worlds
*SEMANTICS
*METAPHYSICS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00318116
- Volume :
- 181
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Philosophical Studies
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 178777746
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-024-02166-y