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Single Idea 9651

[from 'On the Plurality of Worlds' by David Lewis, in 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 6. Verisimilitude ]

Full Idea

We might explain the closeness to the truth (or 'verisimilitude') in terms of closeness of possible worlds. A theory is close to the truth to the extent that our world resembles some world where that theory is exactly true.

Gist of Idea

Verisimilitude might be explained as being close to the possible world where the truth is exact

Source

David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], 1.3)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'On the Plurality of Worlds' [Blackwell 2001], p.24


A Reaction

[Lewis cites Risto Hilpinen for this thought] I am always puzzled why Lewis and co. talk of whole worlds in their accounts. If I am close to the truth about cooking a good omelette, what has the rest of the world got to do with it?