The paper raises some questions concerning Timothy Williamson's suggestion that the epistemology of metaphysically modal thinking is a special case of the epistemology of counterfactuals. It points to difficulties in the formal derivation... more
The paper raises some questions concerning Timothy Williamson's suggestion that the epistemology of metaphysically modal thinking is a special case of the epistemology of counterfactuals. It points to difficulties in the formal derivation of metaphysical modalities from counterfactual logic, questions the interpretation of the significance of the alleged logical equivalences Williamson proves and discusses the proposed sketch of a counterfactual epistemology. I argue that at best Williamson's claim needs additional argumentation while probably suffering from irremediable circularity at worst.
This study constitutes part of the "Support for Economic Reforms in Bulgaria" project conducted by the Center for Economic and Social Research (CASE Research Foundation), Warsaw and financed by the Open Society Institute,... more
This study constitutes part of the "Support for Economic Reforms in Bulgaria" project conducted by the Center for Economic and Social Research (CASE Research Foundation), Warsaw and financed by the Open Society Institute, Budapest. The aim of the project is to assist co-operation with Bulgarian counterparts in implementing structural reforms in the Bulgarian economy. At the request of the Bulgarian
The invasion of Czechoslovakia was an extraordinary event in the history of the Warsaw Pact but not because it was not a repetition of sorts of the 1956 crackdown of the Hungarian Revolution of 1953 Berlin strikes and riots. It chanced... more
The invasion of Czechoslovakia was an extraordinary event in the history of the Warsaw Pact but not because it was not a repetition of sorts of the 1956 crackdown of the Hungarian Revolution of 1953 Berlin strikes and riots. It chanced the history of the ex-Communist countries: it was a technical “success” of the Soviet army, the other members of the Pact had played just a marginal role. The real victor was the generation of on the 1960’s that dismantled the central planning and the only party dictatorial regime and dismissed the Warsaw Pact.
Man can know: thus he can be free. This is the formula which explains the link between epistemological optimism and the ideas of liberalism. Following the view of Francis Bacon that it is only through knowledge that man can conquer nature... more
Man can know: thus he can be free. This is the formula which explains the link between epistemological optimism and the ideas of liberalism. Following the view of Francis Bacon that it is only through knowledge that man can conquer nature and dominate it. By this view, one can understand the quest of man in nature throughout the history. However these two theories according to Karl Popper are in opposition to this quest for knowledge: the theory of manifest truth and the conspiracy theory of ignorance.
