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Single Idea 12203

[from 'Logical Necessity' by Ian Rumfitt, in 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 1. Possible Worlds / e. Against possible worlds ]

Full Idea

A world is usually taken to be a fully determinate way that things could have been; but then one might seriously wonder whether anyone is capable of 'considering' such a thing at all.

Gist of Idea

If a world is a fully determinate way things could have been, can anyone consider such a thing?

Source

Ian Rumfitt (Logical Necessity [2010], §4)

Book Reference

'Modality', ed/tr. Hale,B/Hoffman,A [OUP 2010], p.60


A Reaction

This has always worried me. If I say 'maybe my coat is in the car', I would hate to think that I had to be contemplating some entire possible world (including all the implications of my coat not being on the hat stand).