The Modal Future: A Theory of Future-Directed Thought and Talk

Fabrizio Cariani's book challenges the assumption of symmetrical conceptions of the past and future by proposing a new theory of future-directed discourse and thought. He argues that future thought and talk are best understood in terms of a systematic analogy with counterfactual thought and talk, and offers formal semantic theories and less technical views to support this claim. The book addresses important debates in contemporary philosophy and will benefit scholars in language, metaphysics, epistemology, linguistics, and cognitive science.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 318 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

It is commonly assumed that we conceive of the past and the future as symmetrical. However, in his book, Fabrizio Cariani presents a groundbreaking theory of future-directed discourse and thought that challenges this notion. Cariani argues that our linguistic and philosophical conceptions of the past and future are fundamentally different. He suggests that future thought and talk should be understood in terms of a systematic analogy with counterfactual thought and talk, rather than being mere mirror images of the past.

To support his argument, Cariani develops detailed formal semantic theories and advances less technical views about the nature of future-directed judgment and prediction. He explores various important debates in contemporary philosophy, such as the nature of time, the possibility of free will, and the relationship between language and reality. His synthesis of parallel threads of research in these fields will benefit scholars in the philosophy of language, metaphysics, epistemology, linguistics, and cognitive science.

One of the key insights of Cariani's theory is that future-directed discourse and thought involve a distinct set of cognitive processes and linguistic structures. He argues that we use different linguistic devices and mental representations when thinking about the future compared to the past. For example, we tend to use more modal verbs and expressions of possibility in our predictions and judgments about the future, whereas we rely more on past tense and definite descriptions in our recollections of the past.

Cariani also challenges the traditional view that future-directed judgment and prediction are merely mirror images of the past. He argues that they involve a different kind of mental process, one that is more focused on the potential and possibilities of the future. Future-directed judgment and prediction involve imagining alternative scenarios and evaluating their likelihood of occurrence. This process requires us to engage in mental simulations and to consider the potential consequences of different actions and events.

In conclusion, Fabrizio Cariani's book offers a novel and insightful perspective on the nature of future-directed discourse and thought. His theory challenges the conventional view of the past and the future as symmetrical and provides a more nuanced understanding of these concepts. By developing formal semantic theories and advancing less technical views, Cariani offers valuable insights into important debates in contemporary philosophy. His synthesis of parallel threads of research in language, metaphysics, epistemology, linguistics, and cognitive science will benefit scholars across these disciplines.

Weight: 465g
ISBN-13: 9781108465472