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Single Idea 18619

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

Full Idea

The combinatorial account only works if you allow that the elements are recombinable. ...But could Lincoln really have been green? It seems possible that you could jump to the moon, unless we impose some restrictions.

Gist of Idea

Combinatorial possibility has to allow all elements to be combinable, which seems unlikely

Source

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

Book Ref

Mumford,Stephen: 'Metaphysics: A Very Short Introduction' [OUP 2012], p.84

A Reaction

Mumford suggests different combination rules for logical and natural possibility. The general objection is that combinatorial possibility is too permissive - which it clearly is.

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]