A Relational Semantics for Ockham’s Modalities

Abstract

This article aims at providing some extension of the modal square of opposition in the light of Ockham’s account of modal operators. Moreover, we set forth some significant remarks on the de re–de dicto distinction and on the modal operator of contingency by means of a set-theoretic algebra called numbering semantics. This generalization starting from Ockham’s account of modalities will allow us to take into consideration whether Ockham’s account holds water or not, and in which case it should be changed.

Keywords

• numbering semantics
• contingency
• de re–de dicto
• logical relations
• modalities
• Ockham