more from this thinker     |     more from this text

Single Idea 12468

[filed under theme 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 5. Modality from Actuality ]

Full Idea

Non-actual states of affairs are possible if there actually was a substance capable of initiating a causal chain, perhaps non-deterministic, that could lead to the state of affairs that we claim is possible.

Gist of Idea

A state of affairs is only possible if there has been an actual substance to initiate it

Source

Alexander R. Pruss (The Actual and the Possible [2002]), quoted by Jonathan D. Jacobs - A Powers Theory of Modality §4.2

Book Ref

-: 'Philosophical Studies' [-], p.12

A Reaction

This is roughly my view. There are far fewer possibilities in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio. Logical possibilities and fantasy possibilities are not real possibilities.

The 15 ideas with the same theme [all modal facts are grounded in the actual facts]:

3013 Nothing is stronger than necessity, which rules everything [Thales, by Diog. Laertius]
12978 A perfect idea of an object shows that the object is possible [Leibniz]
5483 Essentialists deny possible worlds, and say possibilities are what is compatible with the actual world [Ellis]
16436 Modal concepts are central to the actual world, and shouldn't need extravagant metaphysics [Stalnaker]
17572 Actuality proves possibility, but that doesn't explain how it is possible [Inwagen]
12186 Modal realists hold that necessities and possibilities are part of the totality of facts [McFetridge]
6080 Modality is not objects or properties, but the type of binding of objects to properties [McGinn]
14689 Necessity and possibility are not just necessity and possibility according to the actual world [Salmon,N]
11108 Your properties, not some other world, decide your possibilities [Jubien]
11111 Modal truths are facts about parts of this world, not about remote maximal entities [Jubien]
11118 Modal propositions transcend the concrete, but not the actual [Jubien]
10745 Science is modally committed, to disposition, causation and law [Oliver]
15025 The world does not contain necessity and possibility - merely how things are [Sider]
12468 A state of affairs is only possible if there has been an actual substance to initiate it [Pruss]
12466 All modality is in the properties and relations of the actual world [Jacobs]