Perceptual knowledge of nonactual possibilities

Journal article


Strohminger, Margot. (2015). Perceptual knowledge of nonactual possibilities. Philosophical Perspectives. 29(1), pp. 363-375. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpe.12069
AuthorsStrohminger, Margot
Abstract

It is widely assumed that sense perception cannot deliver knowledge of nonactual (metaphysical1) possibilities. We are not supposed to be able to know that a proposition p is necessary or that p is possible (if p is false) by sense perception. This paper aims to establish that the role of sense perception is not so limited. It argues that we can know lots of modal facts by perception. While the most straightforward examples concern possibility and contingency, others concern necessity and impossibility. The possibility of a perceptual route to some modal knowledge is not as radical as it may at first sound. On the contrary, acknowledging it has benefits.

Year2015
JournalPhilosophical Perspectives
Journal citation29 (1), pp. 363-375
PublisherWiley-Liss Inc.
ISSN1520-8583
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/phpe.12069
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84964389837
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range363-375
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online22 Apr 2016
Publication process dates
Deposited27 Oct 2021
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