more from Robert Merrihew Adams

Single Idea 11964

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

Full Idea

According to a theory proposed by Adams, possible worlds are world-stories, that is maximally complete consistent sets of propositions which between them describe non-existent whole worlds.

Clarification

'Maximal' means every proposition or its negation is included

Gist of Idea

Possible worlds are world-stories, maximal descriptions of whole non-existent worlds

Source

report of Robert Merrihew Adams (Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity [1979]) by George Molnar - Powers 12.2.2

Book Reference

Molnar,George: 'Powers: a study in metaphysics', ed/tr. Mumford,Stephen [OUP 2003], p.212


A Reaction

Presumably this places an additional constraint on the view that a world is just a maximal set of propositions. It seems to require coherence as well as consistency. Suppose an object destroys all others objects. Is that a world?