Making Counterfactual Assumptions
Frank Veltman

Abstract:
This paper provides an update semantics for counterfactual
conditionals. It does so by giving a dynamic twist to the `Premise
Semantics' for counterfactuals developed in the late seventies. It
also offers an alternative solution to the problems with naive Premise
Semantics discussed by Angelika Kratzer in `Lumps of Thought. Such an
alternative is called for given the triviality results presented in
Kanazawa et.al (to appear).  Kanazawa, M., S. Kaufmann, and
S. Peters,"Conditionals in Possible Worlds: Times Three", Journal of
Semantics, 2005, to appear.  Kratzer, A.,"An investigation of the
lumps of thought",Linguistics and Philosophy,1989,3-27.