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Single Idea 10981

[filed under theme 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 2. Nature of Possible Worlds / c. Worlds as propositions ]

Full Idea

A possible world is a complete determination of the truth-values of all propositions over a certain domain.

Gist of Idea

A possible world is a determination of the truth-values of all propositions of a domain

Source

Stephen Read (Thinking About Logic [1995], Ch.2)

Book Ref

Read,Stephen: 'Thinking About Logic' [OUP 1995], p.51

A Reaction

Even if the domain is very small? Even if the world fitted the logic nicely, but was naturally impossible?

The 7 ideas with the same theme [possible worlds as maximal sets of propositions]:

7690 If sets exist, then defining worlds as proposition sets implies an odd distinction between existing and actual [Jacquette on Lewis]
14673 You can't define worlds as sets of propositions, and then define propositions using worlds [Salmon,N]
15794 If 'worlds' are sentences, and possibility their consistency, consistency may rely on possibility [Lycan]
7695 Do proposition-structures not associated with the actual world deserve to be called worlds? [Jacquette]
7694 We must experience the 'actual' world, which is defined by maximally consistent propositions [Jacquette]
10981 A possible world is a determination of the truth-values of all propositions of a domain [Read]
19011 If worlds are sets of propositions, how do we know which propositions are genuinely possible? [Vetter]