Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Lewis's 'can' is indexical to a set of facts: the traveler CAN kill relative to their abilities, skills, and proximity to the target.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.If 'can' is fully indexical to local facts, distant obstacles shouldn't affect possibility; yet they intuitively do matter for truth.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Indexicality conflates epistemic limitations (what we know about abilities) with metaphysical facts (what's genuinely possible).
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Lewis's view risks making 'can' subjective or pragmatic rather than objective, undermining its use in logic, law, and moral responsibility.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Modal claims like 'can' vary by context: 'I can speak French' means different things to a native vs. learner, supporting indexicality.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Ability-based 'can' must be sensitive to actual capacities; indexing to skills/proximity makes 'can' statements empirically verifiable.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Lewis's framework explains why the same action is possible for one agent but not another in identical logical/metaphysical circumstances.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.