more on this theme | more from this thinker
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?
| 18617 | Substances, unlike aggregates, can survive a change of parts [Mumford] |
| 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] |