Definition:
Conditionalism is the philosophical theory stating that all truth claims inherently depend on implicit or explicit conditions. According to this theory, only conditional statements—statements of the form "If X, then Y"—can meaningfully hold truth values.
Core Arguments:
Interpretation Necessity:
All truth claims require interpretation.
Interpretation is inherently context-dependent, relying on background conditions such as linguistic conventions, conceptual frameworks, axiomatic systems, or observational parameters.
Implicit Conditions:
Conditions often remain hidden or implicit in ordinary discourse.
Even seemingly absolute truths (logical tautologies, mathematical statements, existential assertions) implicitly depend on these hidden background conditions.
Rejection of Unconditional Truths:
Unconditional truths are philosophically incoherent because evaluation of truth necessarily presupposes interpretive conditions.
All attempts to present unconditional truths ultimately reveal implicit conditional dependencies.
Philosophical Alignment:
Strongly related to, yet distinct from, Quinean holism.¹
Extends holism by explicitly claiming truth values can only apply to conditional statements, not isolated statements.
Related to Wittgenstein's language games and meaning dependence on contextual frameworks.²
Practical Implications:
Epistemology & Philosophy of Science:
Clarifies the role of underlying assumptions and conditions in theory evaluation.
Reinforces the conditional and revisable nature of scientific knowledge.³
Decision Theory & Bayesian Reasoning:
Enhances clarity in conditional reasoning and probability updates.⁴
Aligns explicitly with Bayesian frameworks, emphasizing conditionals as fundamental.
Quantum Branching Universe (QBU):
Naturally integrates with interpretations of quantum mechanics, especially Many-Worlds Interpretation.⁵
Supports the concept that events and choices hold truth values only relative to specific quantum timelines or branches.
Conclusion:
Conditionalism provides a rigorous epistemological framework, emphasizing that meaningful truth evaluation is always inherently conditional. By explicitly recognizing and articulating these hidden conditions, it clarifies philosophical discourse and enhances logical consistency across multiple domains.
References:
¹ Quine, W. V. O. (1951). "Two Dogmas of Empiricism."
² Wittgenstein, Ludwig. (1953). "Philosophical Investigations."
³ Duhem, Pierre. (1914). "The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory."
⁴ Jaynes, E. T. (2003). "Probability Theory: The Logic of Science."
⁵ Everett, Hugh. (1957). "Relative State Formulation of Quantum Mechanics."