From modality to millianism

Abstract A new argument is offered which proceeds through epistemic possibility ( for all S knows, p ), cutting a trail from modality to Millianism, the controversial thesis that the semantic content of a proper name is simply its bearer. New definitions are provided for various epistemic modal notions. A surprising theorem about epistemic necessity is proved. A proposition p can be epistemically necessary for a knowing subject S even though p is a posteriori and S does not know p . The identity relation is well‐behaved in metaphysically possible worlds but can go rogue in epistemically possible worlds. Whereas it can be epistemically possible that Lewis Carroll is not Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, this is not epistemically possible in the manner that anti‐Millianism requires.

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Publication Details

Journal
Noûs
Published
2024-11-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/nous.12536
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.51
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article

From modality to millianism

Nathan Salmón
1 citations
Noûs
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
0.51
article

From modality to millianism

Nathan Salmón
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Abstract A new argument is offered which proceeds through epistemic possibility ( for all S knows, p ), cutting a trail from modality to Millianism, the controversial thesis that the semantic content of a proper name is simply its bearer. New definitions are provided for various epistemic modal notions. A surprising theorem about epistemic necessity is proved. A proposition p can be epistemically necessary for a knowing subject S even though p is a posteriori and S does not know p . The identity relation is well‐behaved in metaphysically possible worlds but can go rogue in epistemically possible worlds. Whereas it can be epistemically possible that Lewis Carroll is not Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, this is not epistemically possible in the manner that anti‐Millianism requires.

NoûsVol. 59(4)
University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
Quality Education
Openalex Percentile: Top 28%
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
0.51
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