Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Principle Doctrines ('Kuriai Doxai') (frags)', 'Essential Attribution' and 'A Theory of Conditionals'

unexpand these ideas     |    start again     |     choose another area for these texts

display all the ideas for this combination of texts

---

4 ideas

10. Modality / B. Possibility / 8. Conditionals / a. Conditionals

14286	In nearby worlds where A is true, 'if A,B' is true or false if B is true or false [Stalnaker]
	Full Idea: Consider a possible world in which A is true and otherwise differs minimally from the actual world. 'If A, then B' is true (false) just in case B is true (false) in that possible world.
	From: Robert C. Stalnaker (A Theory of Conditionals [1968], p.34), quoted by Dorothy Edgington - Conditionals (Stanf) 4.1
	A reaction: This is the first proposal to give a possible worlds semantics for conditional statements. Edgington observes that worlds which are nearby for me may not be nearby for you.

10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 1. Possible Worlds / a. Possible worlds

11183	The use of possible worlds is to sort properties (not to individuate objects) [Marcus (Barcan)]
	Full Idea: The usefulness of talk about possible worlds is not for purposes of individuating the object - that can be done in this world; such talk is a way of sorting its properties.
	From: Ruth Barcan Marcus (Essential Attribution [1971], p.192)
	A reaction: 'Possible worlds are a device for sorting properties' sounds to me like a promising slogan. Ruth Marcus originated rigid designation, before Kripke came up with the label.

10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 2. Nature of Possible Worlds / a. Nature of possible worlds

14285	A possible world is the ontological analogue of hypothetical beliefs [Stalnaker]
	Full Idea: A possible world is the ontological analogue of a stock of hypothetical beliefs.
	From: Robert C. Stalnaker (A Theory of Conditionals [1968], p.34), quoted by Dorothy Edgington - Conditionals (Stanf) 4.1
	A reaction: Sounds neat and persuasive. What is the ontological analogue of a stock of hopes? Heaven!

10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / b. Rigid designation

11187	In possible worlds, names are just neutral unvarying pegs for truths and predicates [Marcus (Barcan)]
	Full Idea: The strategem of talk about possible worlds is that truth assignments of sentences and extensions of predicates may vary, but individual names don't alter their reference (unless they don't refer). They are a neutral peg for descriptions.
	From: Ruth Barcan Marcus (Essential Attribution [1971], p.194)