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Modal Justification via Theories

Part of the Synthese Library Book Series (volume 380)

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-49127-1

ISBN: 978-3-319-49126-4

Publisher: Springer International Publishing - Springer Journals

Dec 16, 2016

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A Theory-Based Epistemology of Modality

Fischer, Bob

Pages: 3 –16

[This book articulates and defends a theory-based epistemology of modality (TEM). At TEM’s core is the idea that if we’re justified in believing the extraordinary modal claims to which philosophers often appeal—such as the claim that I could be disembodied, or that there could be a maximally...
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TEM’s Details

Fischer, Bob

Pages: 17 –31

[According to TEM, a person is justified in believing an interesting modal claim, p, if and only if (a) she is justified in believing a theory according to which p is true, (b) she believes p on the basis of that theory, and (c) she has no defeaters for her belief that p. Accordingly, we need a...
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Objections and Clarifications

Fischer, Bob

Pages: 33 –57

[This chapter replies to several objections to TEM. Among them: that physical theories can’t give us the kind of justification that TEM says they can, that TEM is circular, that TEM doesn’t fit with a standard way of arguing in metaphysics, that TEM is far too cautious about our modal...
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Theory Selection

Fischer, Bob

Pages: 61 –79

[This chapter begins Part II. In it, I develop a general framework for selecting between competing modal epistemologies, focusing on three desiderata that are especially relevant to our choice: conservatism, simplicity, and the ability to handle modal disagreement. Unsurprisingly, I argue that...
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TEM and Modal Skepticism

Fischer, Bob

Pages: 81 –105

[In this chapter, I argue that TEM is offers a better basis for modal skepticism than the one van Inwagen develops. My aim here is twofold. On the one hand, I want to show that TEM can lead to a form of modal skepticism, and if it does, then it leads to a better form than what’s previously been...
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Against Optimism

Fischer, Bob

Pages: 107 –126

[Many metaphysicians will be inclined to see TEM as too cautious, and count that as a cost. However, I doubt that TEM’s rivals can underwrite more modal justification than TEM offers. To make this case, I examine three representative modal epistemologies—Stephen Yablo’s defense of conceivability...
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TEM and the Theoretical Virtues

Fischer, Bob

Pages: 127 –129

[This concluding chapter summarizes the case for TEM and revisits a point with which I began: namely, that TEM needn’t compete with every other modal epistemology; it can be a supplement, not a rival. To make this point clearer, I briefly discuss one essence-based modal epistemology, showing how...

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