Question

Can something be logically necessary now but not in the future?

Answer 1

Something that appears to be logically necessary now might not be considered necessary in the future as systems of logic and beliefs can evolve and new information can arise. This shift reflects the progression of understanding and knowledge over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

Logical necessity pertains to the relationship between elements within a given system of logic or framework at a specific point in time. A statement or principle can be logically necessary under current conditions or within the current system of beliefs. However, systems of logic and belief can evolve.

As knowledge grows or perspectives change, something that is thought to be necessary now can be seen as contingent in the future, particularly as we consider premises founded on observed laws of nature or human-made systems. New discoveries in science or shifts in philosophical paradigms can invalidate or alter what we currently hold to be logically necessary.

Moreover, considering the dynamic nature of beliefs and knowledge, philosophers must ensure logical consistency, even as underlying premises change over time. A necessary condition or belief today might not stay necessary under the scrutiny of new evidence or better understanding. This reflects the gradual evolution of knowledge, where logical necessity is tied to the best available evidence and most coherent theories at any given time.

If debate arises regarding the impermanence of necessary beings or conditions, one might entertain the rebuttal that energy itself, which changes form through time, could be a necessary being that contingent beings rely on. This provides a prime example of how philosophical and scientific insights can transform our understanding of concepts once thought to be unchanging.

Answer 2

Yes, something can be logically necessary now but not in the future.

Step-by-step explanation:

In philosophy, the concept of logical necessity refers to a proposition that must be true based on the principles of logic. The key distinction lies in the temporal context of the proposition. For example, consider a mathematical theorem that is logically necessary given certain axioms and definitions. At present, these axioms might be widely accepted, making the theorem logically necessary now.

However, as our understanding of mathematics evolves or new axioms emerge, the same theorem may no longer be logically necessary for the future. Therefore, the logical necessity of a proposition is contingent on the underlying assumptions and knowledge of a given time, and changes in these factors can alter the status of logical necessity over time.