Van Inwagen’s modal skepticism

Hawke, Peter

doi:10.1007/s11098-010-9520-5

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…This combination of empiricism with the safe explanation principle is what I previously called the safe explanation theory of modal epistemology [17].…”

Section: Modal Skepticism Againmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…If it is reasonable to believe that ϕ is possible, that ψ is possible and that ϕ and ψ describe independently existing states of affairs, then it is reasonable to 22 That I ignored the subtleties involved with the question of combination represents a lacuna in my presentation of the safe explanation theory in [17], one I hopefully begin to fill here. 23 cf.…”

Section: Modest Recombinationmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…17 First, it is claimed that the strong conceivability of ϕ entails the possibility of ϕ if ϕ is a purely "qualitative" claim (i.e. free of names, natural kind terms and the like).…”

Section: Modal Rationalism and Modal Empiricismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 For more on van Inwagen's epistemology of modality, including a critical discussion, see the entry in the present volume by Felipe Leon. For a critical discussion of the modal skepticism of van Inwagen [22] and Hawke [17] in tandem, see Hartl [16].…”

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confidence: 99%

“…I elsewhere [17] develop the safe explanation theory as an elaboration of ideas proposed by ground-breaking fore-runners [31] [22]. In this essay, I revisit some considerations that lend modal skepticism plausibility (sects.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Can Modal Skepticism Defeat Humean Skepticism?

Hawke

2016

Modal Epistemology After Rationalism

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My topic is moderate modal skepticism in the spirit of Peter van Inwagen. Here understood, this is a conservative version of modal empiricism that insists that reasonable belief in possibility claims is sourced in a posteriori techniques that severely limit the extent to which agents can reasonably believe "exotic" possibility claims. I offer a novel consideration in support of this brand of skepticism: that modal skepticism grounds an attractive (and novel) reply to Humean skepticism. Thus, I propose that modal skepticism be accepted on the basis of its theoretical utility as a tool for dissolving philosophical paradox.

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“…This combination of empiricism with the safe explanation principle is what I previously called the safe explanation theory of modal epistemology [17].…”

Section: Modal Skepticism Againmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Modest Recombinationmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…17 First, it is claimed that the strong conceivability of ϕ entails the possibility of ϕ if ϕ is a purely "qualitative" claim (i.e. free of names, natural kind terms and the like).…”

Section: Modal Rationalism and Modal Empiricismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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