Single Idea 10996

[catalogued under 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 1. Possible Worlds / d. Possible worlds actualism]

Full Idea

There are two main forms of actualism: reductionism, which seeks to construct possible worlds out of some more mundane material; and moderate realism, in which the actual concrete world is contrasted with abstract, but none the less real, possible worlds.

Gist of Idea

Actualism is reductionist (to parts of actuality), or moderate realist (accepting real abstractions)

Source

Stephen Read (Thinking About Logic [1995], Ch.4)

Book Reference

Read,Stephen: 'Thinking About Logic' [OUP 1995], p.106


A Reaction

I am a reductionist, as I do not take abstractions to be 'real' (precisely because they have been 'abstracted' from the things that are real). I think I will call myself a 'scientific modalist' - we build worlds from possibilities, discovered by science.