Mariela Rubín (CONICET/University of Buenos Aires): Indicative Conditionals and the Adoption Problem

Abstract:

In this work I will argue that Indicative Conditionals must validate Modus Ponens. I will argue, following Padró (2015), Finn (2019) and Kripke (2024), that Modus Ponens is an unadoptable rule, because any rule of inference one poses for a conditional involves executing an instance of Modus Ponens. Furthermore, I will argue against those who contend that it is possible to reject the rule while still recapturing only the non-problematic instances. I will do it by showing that the recapture rules or principles are problematic instances of indicative conditionals themselves. To finish I will briefly show how McGee’s famous counterexample to Modus Ponens can be explained away in pragmatic terms.