Project description
Integrating essentialism and dispositionalism: a new theory of modality
Modal statements say what is, could be or must be true; what is possible or impossible; what is necessary or contingent. Depending on the school of thought, the criteria for which modality applies and why differ. Two principal "new actualist" theories of modality, essentialism and dispositionalism, suggest that modal facts are grounded in wholly actual phenomena. But both theories have been increasingly challenged over time. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the POTandESS project will develop an integrated modality theory that incorporates elements of both theories and avoids their weaknesses.
Objective
This project investigates the source of metaphysical modality, that is to say, it is concerned with the question: “In virtue of what are some facts necessary and others possible, contingent, or impossible?”.
In particular, it will focus on the systematic investigation of the relations between the two main “new actualist” theories of modality, which share the idea that modal facts can be explained by, or grounded by, more fundamental, wholly actual phenomena.
The former aims to ground modal facts in the irreducibly dispositional properties possessed by actual objects—powers, capacities, potentialities, and so on. In its simplest terms, it states that something is possible if and only if there is a (chain of) actual power(s) directed at it, and necessary if and only if there is no power to bring about the truthmaker of its negation.
The latter aims to ground modal facts upon the essences of actual objects: what must be the case follows from the nature or identity of the existing entities, and what can be the case is whatever does not clash with said natures. In its simplest terms, it states that something is necessary if it is part of the essence of everything, and possible if its negation is not contained in the essence of everything.
In recent years, each of these two theories has generated a rich and influential literature and have proved to be among the most serious candidates as sources of modality. However, their weaknesses have also started to become clear: Dispositionalism seems to have a hard time accounting for logical and mathematical necessities, while essentialism seems to struggle more in accounting for the kind of modal truths involved in the causal, dynamic, diachronic evolution of a system.
The aim of the current project is to develop an integrated theory, which incorporates elements of both theories and avoids their weaknesses
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
40225 Dusseldorf
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.