Nathan Wildman

Title

A potential contradiction

Abstract

Recently, Barbara Vetter has developed an ingenious account of metaphysical modality in terms of potentialities, modal properties of objects that include, but ‘extend beyond’, dispositions and abilities (2015: 142). Vetter’s novel account is a valuable contribution to the larger project of making sense of (metaphysical) modality, and promises numerous interesting future developments. However, its initial formulation is not without its problems. In particular, my aim here is to show that, as presented, the account entails the truth of contradictory modal claims. After detailing how, I go on to argue that Vetter can avoid the problem by re-understanding potentialities possessed to the maximal degree.

Date/Time/Place

June 20th/ 17:25 / Aula Magna