From Counterfactual Conditionals to Temporal Conditionals

Abstract Although it receives less attention, (Lewis in Noûs 13:455–476, 1979. https://doi.org/10.2307/2215339 ) admitted that the branching-time(-like) model fits a wide range of counterfactuals, including (Nix) ‘If Nixon had pressed button, there would have been nuclear war’ , which was raised by (Fine Mind 84:451–458, 1975). However, Lewis then claimed similarity analysis is more general than temporality analysis. In this paper, we do not scrutinise his claim. Instead, re-analyse only model-theoretically but also proof-theoretically from ‘meaning-as-use’ and ‘inferentialist’ points view. Then, re-formalise natural extension hybrid tense logic, refer to as logic for temporal conditionals (HTL $$_{TC}$$ TC ). Consequently, find among indicatives, whose formalisation HTL appropriate. We these . This suggests new logical generality has does not, emerges perspective on general: ones others