Single Idea 5400

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

Full Idea

In any possible world we feel that two and two would be four.

Gist of Idea

In any possible world we feel that two and two would be four

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch. 7)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.43


A Reaction

Thinking of necessity in terms of possible worlds is not a new invention, but then Russell was a keen fan of Leibniz. Suppose there were no world at all, and only one truth, namely that two and two make five? (No, I can't make sense of that!)