Logical Connectives and Global Epistemological Skepticism

Abstract

In Aristotle’s Metaphysics there is an interplay between metaphysics and metalogic in his attempt to undermine universal skepticism through the foundational laws of logic and, in particular, the law of non-contradiction. However, recently, the debate has shifted from logical laws to the ubiquitous elements of modern logic, namely, logical connectives. By drawing on Arthur Prior’s (in)famous “tonk” connective, Paul Boghossian contends that the issues arising from this type of connective transcend matters logical and, ominously, open the floodgates of radical skepticism. This discussion note is an examination of Boghossian’s attempt to delegitimize logical connectives of “tonk” ilk for the purpose of averting the calamity of global epistemological skepticism.