Single Idea 16436

[catalogued under 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 5. Modality from Actuality]

Full Idea

Modal concepts are central to our understanding of the world - the actual world - and understanding them should not require extravagant metaphysical commitments.

Gist of Idea

Modal concepts are central to the actual world, and shouldn't need extravagant metaphysics

Source

Robert C. Stalnaker (Mere Possibilities [2012], 1)

Book Reference

Stalnaker,Robert C.: 'Mere Possibilities' [Princeton 2012], p.2


A Reaction

I agree. Personally I think powers and dispositions do the job nicely. You just have to embrace Leibniz's emphasis on the active nature of reality, and the implausible metaphysics starts to recede.