Single Idea 10266

[catalogued under 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 1. Possible Worlds / a. Possible worlds]

Full Idea

The fact that the 'myth' of possible worlds happens to produce the correct modal logic is itself a phenomenon in need of explanation.

Gist of Idea

Why does the 'myth' of possible worlds produce correct modal logic?

Source

Stewart Shapiro (Philosophy of Mathematics [1997], 7.4)

Book Reference

Shapiro,Stewart: 'Philosophy of Mathematics:structure and ontology' [OUP 1997], p.233


A Reaction

The claim that it produces 'the' correct modal logic seems to beg a lot of questions, given the profusion of modal systems. This is a problem with any sort of metaphysics which invokes fictionalism - what were those particular fictions responding to?