conditional, n.All

A Conditional (n.) negated ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠denies a connection: it does not have to be this way.

The Conditional (n.) cannot ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠be flattered, begged or bargained with when the inner preacher speaks it: give half your wealth to the poor, give all of it, and he answers only, "yes, if you love God."

A Conditional (n.) prediction ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠in science can be justified by its theory even when its antecedent never comes true; justification and correctness come apart.

The Conditional (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the little word "if" around which the world of personality revolves, as the Spartans' laconic answer "If" deflated the proud boast of the conqueror's countless hosts.

A Conditional (n.) such ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠as if he comes, he'll bring something can go into the subjunctive; material implication cannot.