more from Alvin Plantinga

Single Idea 11980

[catalogued under 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 2. Nature of Possible Worlds / a. Nature of possible worlds]

Full Idea

A possible world is just a maximal possible state of affairs.

Gist of Idea

A possible world is a maximal possible state of affairs

Source

Alvin Plantinga (Transworld Identity or worldbound Individuals? [1973], I)

Book Reference

'The Possible and the Actual', ed/tr. Loux,Michael J. [Cornell 1979], p.147


A Reaction

The key point here is that Plantinga includes the word 'possible' in his definition. Possibility defines the worlds, and so worlds cannot be used on their own to define possibility.