Retrogradation of Truth and Omniscience
Todd and Rabern have argued that assuming future contingents are untrue, together with accepting the principle of the retrogradation of truth (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>p<...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Ciro De Florio Aldo Frigerio |
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| description | Todd and Rabern have argued that assuming future contingents are untrue, together with accepting the principle of the retrogradation of truth (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi><mo>→</mo><mi mathvariant="bold">PF</mi><mo>(</mo><mi>p</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>), implies that it is metaphysically impossible that an omniscient entity exists. Since the possibility of an omniscient being is a metaphyisical and theological thesis that should not depend on assumed temporal semantics, Todd and Rabern conclude that, if one wishes to maintain the untruth of future contingents, one must reject the principle of the retrogradation of truth. This paper aims to show that Todd and Rabern’s argument fails. We present a temporal semantics in which future contingents are untrue, the principle of the retrogradation of truth is valid, and the potential existence of an omniscient and temporal being is preserved. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2409-9287 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-8d0893d47aae41a6a84776415e736f4c2025-08-20T02:18:20ZengMDPI AGPhilosophies2409-92872025-04-011024610.3390/philosophies10020046Retrogradation of Truth and OmniscienceCiro De Florio0Aldo Frigerio1Department of Philosophy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Philosophy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milan, ItalyTodd and Rabern have argued that assuming future contingents are untrue, together with accepting the principle of the retrogradation of truth (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>p</mi><mo>→</mo><mi mathvariant="bold">PF</mi><mo>(</mo><mi>p</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>), implies that it is metaphysically impossible that an omniscient entity exists. Since the possibility of an omniscient being is a metaphyisical and theological thesis that should not depend on assumed temporal semantics, Todd and Rabern conclude that, if one wishes to maintain the untruth of future contingents, one must reject the principle of the retrogradation of truth. This paper aims to show that Todd and Rabern’s argument fails. We present a temporal semantics in which future contingents are untrue, the principle of the retrogradation of truth is valid, and the potential existence of an omniscient and temporal being is preserved.https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/10/2/46temporal logicomniscienceretrogradation of truthsemantics of future tensephilosophy of time |
| spellingShingle | Ciro De Florio Aldo Frigerio Retrogradation of Truth and Omniscience Philosophies temporal logic omniscience retrogradation of truth semantics of future tense philosophy of time |
| title | Retrogradation of Truth and Omniscience |
| title_full | Retrogradation of Truth and Omniscience |
| title_fullStr | Retrogradation of Truth and Omniscience |
| title_full_unstemmed | Retrogradation of Truth and Omniscience |
| title_short | Retrogradation of Truth and Omniscience |
| title_sort | retrogradation of truth and omniscience |
| topic | temporal logic omniscience retrogradation of truth semantics of future tense philosophy of time |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/10/2/46 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cirodeflorio retrogradationoftruthandomniscience AT aldofrigerio retrogradationoftruthandomniscience |