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Single Idea 5751

[filed under theme 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 2. Nature of Possible Worlds / b. Worlds as fictions ]

Full Idea

Propositions are true at possible worlds in much the same way as they are true at books: by being implied by the book.

Gist of Idea

The truth of propositions at possible worlds are implied by the world, just as in books

Source

Joseph Melia (Modality [2003], Ch.7)

Book Ref

Melia,Joseph: 'Modality' [Acumen 2003], p.155


A Reaction

An intriguing way to introduce the view that possible worlds should be seen as like books. The truth-makers of propositions about the actual world are items in it, but the truth-makers in novels (say) are the conditions of the whole work as united.


The 17 ideas from 'Modality'

'De re' modality is about things themselves, 'de dicto' modality is about propositions [Melia]
Possible worlds make it possible to define necessity and counterfactuals without new primitives [Melia]
In possible worlds semantics the modal operators are treated as quantifiers [Melia]
If possible worlds semantics is not realist about possible worlds, logic becomes merely formal [Melia]
We may be sure that P is necessary, but is it necessarily necessary? [Melia]
Predicate logic has connectives, quantifiers, variables, predicates, equality, names and brackets [Melia]
Second-order logic needs second-order variables and quantification into predicate position [Melia]
If every model that makes premises true also makes conclusion true, the argument is valid [Melia]
Maybe names and predicates can capture any fact [Melia]
Sometimes we want to specify in what ways a thing is possible [Melia]
No sort of plain language or levels of logic can express modal facts properly [Melia]
First-order predicate calculus is extensional logic, but quantified modal logic is intensional (hence dubious) [Melia]
The Identity of Indiscernibles is contentious for qualities, and trivial for non-qualities [Melia]
We accept unverifiable propositions because of simplicity, utility, explanation and plausibility [Melia]
Consistency is modal, saying propositions are consistent if they could be true together [Melia]
Possible worlds could be real as mathematics, propositions, properties, or like books [Melia]
The truth of propositions at possible worlds are implied by the world, just as in books [Melia]