The problem of conditionals

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dc.contributor.advisorYoes, M. G.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberJohnsen, Bredo C.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberKnopp, Paul J.
dc.creatorEngel, Rayme Edward
dc.date.accessioned2020-11-03T17:42:04Z
dc.date.available2020-11-03T17:42:04Z
dc.date.issued1970
dc.description.abstractThis paper is devoted to the logical problem of conditionals. This is interpreted as the problem of formulating, in terms of simple non-modal logical notions, the general conditions for the truth of statements of the 'if...then---' form. It is argued in the first part of the paper that the compass of this analysis properly includes not only those conditionals expressed counter- factually with verbs in the subjunctive, but also those containing the verbs of the indicative. This view is defended through a series of arguments condensing in the conclusion that the appropriate mood for the verbs in a conditional is not determined by the kind of implication the writer or speaker claims between antecedent and consequent, but rather by opinion as to the probable truth or falsity of the antecedent. The second part of the paper is then given over to the search for a general definition for the truth of conditionals. An elaborate set of rules is finally formulated and claimed to provide an adequate analysis of the conditional. Difficulties shared by the problem of conditionals and that of explanation are mentioned, and it is suggested that counterexamples to earlier versions of the criterion for conditionals can be imitated to establish counterexamples to deductive-nomological models, and further that the necessary adjustments can be discovered in the strategies used to correct the conditional criterion.
dc.description.departmentPhilosophy, Department of
dc.format.digitalOriginreformatted digital
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.other11879383
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10657/7057
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsThis item is protected by copyright but is made available here under a claim of fair use (17 U.S.C. §107) for non-profit research and educational purposes. Users of this work assume the responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing, or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires express permission of the copyright holder.
dc.subjectConditionals (Logic)
dc.titleThe problem of conditionals
dc.type.dcmiText
dc.type.genreThesis
thesis.degree.collegeCollege of Arts and Sciences
thesis.degree.departmentPhilosophy, Department of
thesis.degree.disciplinePhilosophy
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Houston
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts

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