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Single Idea 11964

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

Full Idea

According to a theory proposed by Adams, possible worlds are world-stories, that is maximally complete consistent sets of propositions which between them describe non-existent whole worlds.

Clarification

'Maximal' means every proposition or its negation is included

Gist of Idea

Possible worlds are world-stories, maximal descriptions of whole non-existent worlds

Source

report of Robert Merrihew Adams (Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity [1979]) by George Molnar - Powers 12.2.2

Book Ref

Molnar,George: 'Powers: a study in metaphysics', ed/tr. Mumford,Stephen [OUP 2003], p.212

A Reaction

Presumably this places an additional constraint on the view that a world is just a maximal set of propositions. It seems to require coherence as well as consistency. Suppose an object destroys all others objects. Is that a world?

The 12 ideas from 'Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity'

11964 Possible worlds are world-stories, maximal descriptions of whole non-existent worlds [Adams,RM, by Molnar]
16451 Adams says anti-haecceitism reduces all thisness to suchness [Adams,RM, by Stalnaker]
11901 Haecceitism may or may not involve some logical connection to essence [Adams,RM, by Mackie,P]
14507 Are possible worlds just qualities, or do they include primitive identities as well? [Adams,RM]
14508 A 'thisness' is a thing's property of being identical with itself (not the possession of self-identity) [Adams,RM]
12031 Essences are taken to be qualitative properties [Adams,RM]
12032 Direct reference is by proper names, or indexicals, or referential uses of descriptions [Adams,RM]
12034 If the universe was cyclical, totally indiscernible events might occur from time to time [Adams,RM]
14510 Two events might be indiscernible yet distinct, if there was a universe cyclical in time [Adams,RM]
16455 Black's two globes might be one globe in highly curved space [Adams,RM]
14512 Moderate Haecceitism says transworld identities are primitive, but connected to qualities [Adams,RM]
14511 There are cases where mere qualities would not ensure an intrinsic identity [Adams,RM]