Combining Texts

Ideas for 'The Case for Closure', 'How to Define Theoretical Terms' and 'Platonistic Theories of Universals'

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

display all the ideas for this combination of texts

---

2 ideas

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

8963	Four theories of possible worlds: conceptualist, combinatorial, abstract, or concrete [Hoffman/Rosenkrantz]
	Full Idea: There are four models of the ontological status of possible worlds: conceptualist (mental constructions), combinatorial (all combinations of the actual world), abstract worlds (conjunction of propositions), and concrete worlds (collections of concreta).
	From: J Hoffman/G Rosenkrantz (Platonistic Theories of Universals [2003], 4)
	A reaction: [the proponents cited are, in order, Rescher, Cresswell, Plantinga and Lewis] They dismiss Rescher and Cresswell, both of whom seem to me more plausible than Plantinga or Lewis. 'Possible' can't figure in the definition. Possible to us, or in reality?

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

15530	A logically determinate name names the same thing in every possible world [Lewis]
	Full Idea: A logically determinate name is one which names the same thing in every possible world.
	From: David Lewis (How to Define Theoretical Terms [1970], III)
	A reaction: This appears to be rigid designation, before Kripke introduced the new word.