more from Trenton Merricks

Single Idea 14402

[catalogued under 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / c. Counterparts]

Full Idea

If Fido's being possibly black reduces (in Lewis's account) to the existence of black counterparts of Fido, then 'Fido is possibly black' is actually true, but it has no actually existing truthmaker.

Gist of Idea

If 'Fido is possibly black' depends on Fido's counterparts, then it has no actual truthmaker

Source

Trenton Merricks (Truth and Ontology [2007], 5.I)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Truth and Ontology' [OUP 2007], p.99


A Reaction

This problem is increasingly the target of my views about dispositions and powers. Fido is not possibly a prize-winning novelist, but is possibly dead or in good health, because of the actual nature and dispositions of Fido.