Counterfactuals of ontological dependence
Journal article
Baron, Sam. (2022). Counterfactuals of ontological dependence. Journal of the American Philosophical Association. 8(2), pp. 278-299. https://doi.org/10.1017/apa.2019.39
Authors | Baron, Sam |
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Abstract | A great deal has been written about 'would' counterfactuals of causal dependence. Comparatively little has been said regarding 'would' counterfactuals of ontological dependence. The standard Lewis-Stalnaker semantics is inadequate for handling such counterfactuals. That's because some of these counterfactuals are counterpossibles, and the standard Lewis-Stalnaker semantics trivializes for counterpossibles. Fortunately, there is a straightforward extension of the Lewis-Stalnaker semantics available that handles counterpossibles: simply take Lewis's closeness relation that orders possible worlds and unleash it across impossible worlds. To apply the extended semantics, an account of the closeness relation for counterpossibles is needed. In this paper I offer a strategy for evaluating 'would' counterfactuals of ontological dependence that understands closeness between worlds in terms of the metaphysical concept of grounding. |
Keywords | counterfactuals; ontological dependence; grounding; metaphysical laws; counterpossibles |
Year | 2022 |
Journal | Journal of the American Philosophical Association |
Journal citation | 8 (2), pp. 278-299 |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
ISSN | 2053-4477 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1017/apa.2019.39 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85127196802 |
Page range | 278-299 |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 14 Mar 2022 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 09 Sep 2021 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8wqx3/counterfactuals-of-ontological-dependence
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