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Full Idea
The possible worlds construal affords an elegant algebra of meaning by way of set theory: e.g. entailment between sentences is just the subset relation - S1 entails S2 if S2 is true in any world in which S1 is true.
Gist of Idea
Possible worlds explain aspects of meaning neatly - entailment, for example, is the subset relation
Source
William Lycan (Philosophy of Language [2000], Ch.10)
Book Ref
Lycan,William G.: 'Philosophy of Language' [Routledge 2000], p.153
A Reaction
We might want to separate the meanings of sentences from their entailments (though Brandom links them, see Idea 7765).
Related Idea
Idea 7765 The use of a sentence is its commitments and entitlements [Brandom, by Lycan]
| 7755 | Singular terms refer, using proper names, definite descriptions, singular personal pronouns, demonstratives, etc. [Lycan] |
| 7763 | It is hard to state a rule of use for a proper name [Lycan] |
| 7764 | Could I successfully use an expression, without actually understanding it? [Lycan] |
| 7766 | Meaning must be known before we can consider verification [Lycan] |
| 7768 | The truth conditions theory sees meaning as representation [Lycan] |
| 7770 | Truth conditions will come out the same for sentences with 'renate' or 'cordate' [Lycan] |
| 7773 | A sentence's truth conditions is the set of possible worlds in which the sentence is true [Lycan] |
| 7774 | Possible worlds explain aspects of meaning neatly - entailment, for example, is the subset relation [Lycan] |