Inferentialism: A Manifesto

Abstract

In previous publications, we have proposed a new, inferentialist semantics for indicative conditionals. According to this semantics, the truth of a conditional requires the existence of a compelling argument from the conditional's antecedent together with contextually determined background premises to its consequent, where the antecedent is pivotal in the argument. In this paper, we recapitulate the position; report the progress we made over the past years, in particular highlighting the empirical support the position has garnered; and respond to criticisms that have been leveled at it.