Introduction

Introduction presents the book’s major thesis: that necessitarianism is true. Necessitarianism is the view that nothing about the universe could have been otherwise in any way whatsoever. Contingentarianism is the opposing view that at least some thing could have been otherwise in some way or other. A necessary entity is defined as that which cannot be otherwise in any way and a contingent entity is that which can be otherwise in some way or other. The necessitarian position is explained; it is compatible with truthmaker necessitarianism and grounding necessitarianism. Some key moments in the history of necessitarianism and contingentarianism from the ancient period to the present are highlighted. An outline of the book is provided, and an exhortation asks the reader to keep an open mind with respect to necessitarianism.