Revisiting Lockhart: A Case for a Conditional Operator

Author

Eric J. Tsai, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

2-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Program

Linguistics

Advisor

Sam Al Khatib

Subject Categories

Linguistics | Semantics and Pragmatics

Keywords

kratzer, von fintel, restrictor view, modality, strict implication, material implication

Abstract

This thesis presents a case for a binary modal conditional operator compatible with both circumstantial and epistemic modal bases. Certain contexts involving might conditionals require might to take wide-scope over a conditional proposition. A restrictor-view analysis of conditionals is unable to derive both the intuitive meaning of the might conditional and the necessary conditional proposition without positing a covert circumstantial necessity modal. However, based on observations of the temporal orientation of conditionals, such a modal lacks independent motivation. On the other hand, a binary modal conditional operator not only provides the necessary conditional proposition but is also able to derive the intuitive meaning of the might conditional while accounting for the observed modal environments of conditional antecedents and conditional consequents.

Recommended Citation

Tsai, Eric J., "Revisiting Lockhart: A Case for a Conditional Operator" (2018). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/2529