Monday, August 20, 2012

The Stanford Encyclopedia Entry on Modal Logic

Here is the Stanford Encyclopedia entry on Modal Logic. There is no mention that I can see that it is even used in theology or philosophy of religion.

5 comments:

Papalinton said...

"Plantinga has expressed a modal logic version of the ontological argument in which he uses modal logic to develop, in a more rigorous and formal way, Norman Malcolm's and Charles Hartshorne's modal ontological arguments. However this restructuring of the argument fails to circumvent Immanuel Kant's refutations of the prior forms of the argument." Wiki on Plantinga

Caleb Doxsey said...

Modal logic is also a major component of Molinism. A practical example can be found in Craig's "The Only Wise God":

http://www.amazon.com/The-Only-Wise-Compatibility-Foreknowledge/dp/1579103162

Picking up on the previous thread I can understand why someone might put it in the category of "angels on the head of a pin" type theology... But I think that's true of logic in general. Just cause something is hard to understand doesn't mean its nonsense.

Crude said...

Caleb,

I think Victor's point was that modal logic isn't something theologians developed to make obscure theological claims. It's its own thing, as anyone with some basic knowledge of philosophy would know.

rank sophist said...

BeingItself could not possibly embarrass himself more. He's a laughing stock.

finney said...

My prof. once said that modal logic (necessity and possibility) historically developed from Anselm's ontological argument. Doesn't really mean that it's a religious thing, but it does show a huge contribution Anselm made to western philosophy.