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Single Idea 15738

[from 'On the Plurality of Worlds' by David Lewis, in 19. Language / D. Propositions / 2. Abstract Propositions / b. Propositions as possible worlds ]

Full Idea

If it is central to 'proposition' that there be quasi-syntactic structure, so that there are subject-predicate, or negative, or conjunctive, or quantified propositions, then sets of possible worlds will not do.

Gist of Idea

Propositions can't have syntactic structure if they are just sets of worlds

Source

David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], 1.5)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'On the Plurality of Worlds' [Blackwell 2001], p.57


A Reaction

He proposes 'more complicated set-theoretic constructions out of possibilia' instead. I am very much committed to propositions having quasi-syntactic structure.