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Single Idea 18618

[filed under theme 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 3. Combinatorial possibility ]

Full Idea

It has been suggested that we could think of possibilities as recombinations of all the existing elements of reality.

Gist of Idea

Maybe possibilities are recombinations of the existing elements of reality

Source

Stephen Mumford (Metaphysics: a very short introduction [2012], 8)

Book Ref

Mumford,Stephen: 'Metaphysics: A Very Short Introduction' [OUP 2012], p.83

A Reaction

[Armstrong 1989 is the source] The obvious problem would be that the existence of an entirely different reality would be impossible, if this was all possibility could be. It seems to cramp the style of the possible too much. Are properties elements?

The 4 ideas with the same theme [possibilities are combinations of the actual]:

18618 Maybe possibilities are recombinations of the existing elements of reality [Mumford]
18619 Combinatorial possibility has to allow all elements to be combinable, which seems unlikely [Mumford]
18620 Combinatorial possibility relies on what actually exists (even over time), but there could be more [Mumford]
18855 Combinatorial theories of possibility assume the principles of combination don't change across worlds [Rosen]