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Single Idea 14376

[filed under theme 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 1. Possibility ]

Full Idea

A non-actual state of affairs in 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

States of affairs are only possible if some substance could initiate a causal chain to get there

Source

Jonathan D. Jacobs (A Powers Theory of Modality [2010], §4.2)

Book Ref

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

A Reaction

[He is quoting A.R. Pruss 2002] That seems exactly right. Of course the initial substance(s) might create a further substance, such as a transuranic element, which then produces the state of affairs. I favour this strongly actualist view.

The 13 ideas from 'A Powers Theory of Modality'

12463 Unlike correspondence, truthmaking can be one truth to many truthmakers, or vice versa [Jacobs]
14371 We can base counterfactuals on powers, not possible worlds, and hence define necessity [Jacobs]
12465 Concrete worlds, unlike fictions, at least offer evidence of how the actual world could be [Jacobs]
12464 If some book described a possibe life for you, that isn't what makes such a life possible [Jacobs]
14372 Possible worlds are just not suitable truthmakers for modality [Jacobs]
12466 All modality is in the properties and relations of the actual world [Jacobs]
14375 If structures result from intrinsic natures of properties, the 'relations' between them can drop out [Jacobs]
12467 Powers come from concrete particulars, not from the laws of nature [Jacobs]
14376 States of affairs are only possible if some substance could initiate a causal chain to get there [Jacobs]
14377 Possibilities are manifestations of some power, and impossibilies rest on no powers [Jacobs]
14378 Science aims at identifying the structure and nature of the powers that exist [Jacobs]
12469 Possible worlds semantics gives little insight into modality [Jacobs]
14379 Counterfactuals invite us to consider the powers picked out by the antecedent [Jacobs]