Literary notes about Contingent (AI summary)
The term "contingent" is used in literature to denote matters that depend on external conditions or chance rather than on inherent necessity. In philosophical contexts, writers like Spinoza and Kant explore "contingent" to contrast it with that which is necessary, arguing that while some actions or existences should happen by moral or logical requirement, their actual occurrence remains subject to chance [1][2][3][4]. In historical and narrative accounts, "contingent" frequently describes groups or forces mobilized under certain circumstances, such as military detachments or social subdivisions, emphasizing their temporary and variable nature [5][6][7][8]. This dual usage underscores the word's ability to capture both abstract, philosophical dependency and the concrete assembly of actors in historical events [9][10][11].
- For (I. xxix.), except in this sense, nothing is contingent.
— from Ethics by Benedictus de Spinoza - The morally absolutely necessary act is regarded as physically quite contingent, since that which ought necessarily to happen often does not happen.
— from Kant's Critique of Judgement by Immanuel Kant - The conditioned in existence is termed contingent, and the unconditioned necessary.
— from The Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant - But, I ask, what is meant by contingent?
— from The Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant - It was after the defeat of Dschelaleddin that they furnished their contingent to Alai-eddin.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - Now this contingent, 10,000 men, was under the command of the Duke of York, the King's son, A happy thought strikes the Governor.
— from Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding - In addition to 9 persons from Numedal, and a small contingent from Voss, the first party of fourteen persons arrived from Kragerö.
— from A History of Norwegian Immigration to the United States by George T. Flom - On the other hand, the Queen's contingent, now dwindled to about half their original number, had been notoriously unpaid for nearly six months.
— from History of the United Netherlands, 1586-89 — Complete by John Lothrop Motley - His belief is, even in his own judgement, only contingent: another man might, perhaps come nearer the truth.
— from The Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant - Apparently the great hospitals had each sent down their contingent.
— from The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle - This may possibly be contingent on the alteration of frequently recalled ideas.
— from Criminal Psychology: A Manual for Judges, Practitioners, and Students by Hans Gross
