An Inquiry on Modal Metaphysical Puzzling Possible Worlds - Softcover

Berthoud, Valery

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3960671946 ISBN 13: 9783960671947

Publisher: Anchor Academic Publishing, 2017

Synopsis

The concept of possible worlds is useful because it defines the four modalities - possibility, necessity, contingency, and impossibility - but a challenge lies in defining it. David Lewis' polemical hypothesis ("genuine modal realism" as it is called) succeeds in it. Lewis' modal realism stirred controversy because he maintains that a plurality of worlds exists. Some philosophers suggest that the Lewisian view is a violation to the law of parsimony, also known as Ockham's Razor, i.e. not multiply entities beyond necessity. While avoiding a circular definition, Lewis constructs an inflated ontology. Is it worth it, and if we do not want to assume too many Lewisian worlds, what alternatives remain? Actualist modal realism and modal antirealism are the most relevant alternatives because modal abstentionism simply will not progress in this direction. This study evaluates the theories of possible worlds.

Edition details

• Publisher: Anchor Academic Publishing
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3960671946
• ISBN 13: 9783960671947
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 84