more on this theme
|
more from this thinker
Single Idea 8420
[filed under theme 19. Language / D. Propositions / 2. Abstract Propositions / b. Propositions as possible worlds
]
Full Idea
I identify a proposition with the set of possible worlds where it is true.
Gist of Idea
A proposition is a set of possible worlds where it is true
Source
David Lewis (Causation [1973], p.193)
Book Ref
'Causation', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Tooley,M. [OUP 1993], p.193
A Reaction
As it stands, I'm baffled by this. How can 'it is raining' be a set of possible worlds? I assume it expands to refer to the truth-conditions, among possibilities as well as actualities. 'It is raining' fits all worlds where it is raining.
The
15 ideas
from 'Causation'
9476
|
If dispositions are more fundamental than causes, then they won't conceptually reduce to them
[Bird on Lewis]
|
8405
|
A theory of causation should explain why cause precedes effect, not take it for granted
[Lewis, by Field,H]
|
10392
|
It is just individious discrimination to pick out one cause and label it as 'the' cause
[Lewis]
|
17525
|
The counterfactual view says causes are necessary (rather than sufficient) for their effects
[Lewis, by Bird]
|
17524
|
Lewis has basic causation, counterfactuals, and a general ancestral (thus handling pre-emption)
[Lewis, by Bird]
|
8397
|
Counterfactual causation implies all laws are causal, which they aren't
[Tooley on Lewis]
|
4795
|
Lewis's account of counterfactuals is fine if we know what a law of nature is, but it won't explain the latter
[Cohen,LJ on Lewis]
|
8419
|
The modern regularity view says a cause is a member of a minimal set of sufficient conditions
[Lewis]
|
8420
|
A proposition is a set of possible worlds where it is true
[Lewis]
|
8421
|
Regularity analyses could make c an effect of e, or an epiphenomenon, or inefficacious, or pre-empted
[Lewis]
|
8423
|
My counterfactual analysis applies to particular cases, not generalisations
[Lewis]
|
8424
|
Determinism says there can't be two identical worlds up to a time, with identical laws, which then differ
[Lewis]
|
8425
|
For true counterfactuals, both antecedent and consequent true is closest to actuality
[Lewis]
|
8426
|
One event causes another iff there is a causal chain from first to second
[Lewis]
|
8427
|
I reject making the direction of causation axiomatic, since that takes too much for granted
[Lewis]
|