Martha Kneale on why metaphysical necessities are not a priori

TY - JOUR

T1 - Martha Kneale on why metaphysical necessities are not a priori

AU - Leech, Jessica

PY - 2019/12

Y1 - 2019/12

N2 - In her 1938 paper, “Logical and Metaphysical Necessity”, Martha Kneale introduces the necessary a posteriori. I present a critical summary of Kneale’s argument that so-called ‘metaphysical propositions’ are necessary but not a priori. I argue that Kneale is well-placed to offer a template for reconciling conceivability approaches to modal epistemology with the post-Kripkean trend for taking metaphysical necessities to have their source in mind-independent reality.

AB - In her 1938 paper, “Logical and Metaphysical Necessity”, Martha Kneale introduces the necessary a posteriori. I present a critical summary of Kneale’s argument that so-called ‘metaphysical propositions’ are necessary but not a priori. I argue that Kneale is well-placed to offer a template for reconciling conceivability approaches to modal epistemology with the post-Kripkean trend for taking metaphysical necessities to have their source in mind-independent reality.

U2 - 10.1017/apa.2018.56

DO - 10.1017/apa.2018.56

M3 - Article

SN - 2053-4477

VL - 5

SP - 389

EP - 409

JO - Journal of the American Philosophical Association

JF - Journal of the American Philosophical Association

IS - 4

ER -