 Hypothetical discourses have a puzzling connection to reality. Suppose I assert, “If the GDP continues to decline, unemployment will rise”, but the GDP does not continue to decline, instead holding steady. Is what I said true or false? It’s not obvious, since my statement has not been tested by the world in the obvious way. If the GDP had continued to decline yet unemployment had fallen, my statement would have been tested, and it would have failed. But GDP held steady, so what test can my assertion be put to?