Abstract
The meaning of counterfactual conditionals is standardly described using the similarityapproach (Stalnaker, 1968; Lewis, 1973). This approach has recently been challenged byCiardelli et al. (2018). They argue that the similarity approach is in principle unable to accountfor the meaning of counterfactuals with an antecedent consisting of a conjunction embeddedunder a negation (¬(p^q)). Ciardelli et al. (2018) dismiss the approach on these grounds andoffer an alternative. The main goal of the present paper is to defend the similarity approachagainst this attack. I will argue that the problem that underlies the observations in Ciardelliet al. 2018 is more general and not solved by the solution they offer. I will furthermore argue,against Ciardelli et al. (2018), that the cause of the problem is not the similarity approach, butthe interaction of negation with the meaning of counterfactual conditionals. The paper willconclude with a first outline of a solution for the problem, which still uses the similarity approach,but combines it with an alternative semantics for negation.Keywords: counterfactuals, negation, similarity approach, causality.
Highlights
The meaning of counterfactual conditionals is standardly described using the similarity approach (Stalnaker, 1968; Lewis, 1973)
How should we approach the semantics of counterfactual conditionals? If you look at the literature on this topic over the last 50 years, you will see that there is one particular approach that clearly dominates the field: the similarity approach of Stalnaker (1968) and Lewis (1973)
A counterfactual is true in case the intersection of all maximal subsets of the premises that are consistent with the antecedent together with the antecedent entail the consequent
Summary
If you look at the literature on this topic over the last 50 years, you will see that there is one particular approach that clearly dominates the field: the similarity approach of Stalnaker (1968) and Lewis (1973) We teach it to our students the first time they encounter the problem of counterfactual sentences and they grow up under the impression that this is the only way one should think about them. A team of Skywalkers stepped forward and challenged the empire They put forward an argument that targets the very core of the approach and claim that this argument convincingly shows that we need to give up our paradigm, dismiss the similarity approach. Katrin Schulz forward by Ciardelli et al (2018) We will discuss their evidence against the similarity approach and the alternative approach they propose.
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