Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Submission Date
October 2026
Abstract
Willard Van Orman Quine and Charles Sanders Peirce each create systems in which counterfactual conditionals can be meaningful. A counterfactual conditional is a statement whose antecedent is known to be contrary to fact. Counterfactual conditionals are important in making predictions. It would be irresponsible to implement any major change in the current state of affairs without first assessing the consequences. Quine's work seems to undermine the use of counterfactual conditionals, but I show that his system does allow for certain types of counterfactual conditionals to be meaningful. I conclude that counterfactual conditionals are more meaningful in Peirce's system because the ability to make predictions is a primary concern for him. Although Peirce's system gets more meaning out of counterfactual conditionals than Quine's system, Quine's system aids in the understanding of science.
Recommended Citation
Bailey, Mary Allison., "Quine and Peirce on counterfactual conditionals" (2010). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2010 - 2019. 22.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_2/22
Extent
iv, 45 p.
Identifier
779177095
Comments
by Mary Allison Bailey.