The Worlds of Possibility: Modal Realism and the Semantics of Modal Logic - Hardcover

Chihara, Charles S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198237677 ISBN 13: 9780198237679

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1998

Synopsis

Charles Chihara gives a thorough critical exposition of modal realism, the philosophical doctrine that there exist many possible worlds of which the actual world--the universe in which we live--is just one. The striking success of possible-worlds semantics in modal logic has made this ontological doctrine attractive. Modal realists maintain that philosophers must accept the existence of possible worlds if they wish to have the benefit of using possible-worlds semantics to assess modal arguments and explain modal principles. Chihara challenges this claim, and argues instead for modality without worlds; he offers a new account of the role of interpretations or structures of the formal languages of logic.

About this title

Review

This book will be of interest to those seeking an introduction to some of the standard debates and central positions in the metaphysics of possible worlds. (Studia Logica)

Chihara's book is a commendable source to everyone not yet familiar with the foundational issues. (Years Work in English Studies)

About the Author

Charles S. Chihara is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198237677
• ISBN 13: 9780198237679
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 356