ABSTRACT

Possible Worlds presents the first up-to-date and comprehensive examination of one of the most important topics in metaphysics. John Divers considers the prevalent philosophical positions, including realism, antirealism and the work of important writers on possible worlds such as David Lewis, evaluating them in detail.

part |2 pages

Part I: Introduction

chapter 1|12 pages

Where Possible-World Talk is Used

chapter 2|11 pages

What Possible-World Talk Means

chapter 3|15 pages

Why Possible-World Talk is Used

part |2 pages

Part II: Genuine realism

chapter 6|20 pages

Genuine Realism: Worlds

chapter 7|16 pages

Genuine Realism: Unanalysed Modality

chapter 8|27 pages

Genuine Realism: Counterparts

chapter 9|18 pages

Genuine Realism: Epistemology

part |2 pages

Part III: Actualist realism

chapter 10|12 pages

Actualist realism: exposition

chapter 11|15 pages

Actualist Realism: Conceptual Applications

chapter 12|14 pages

Actualist Realism: Ontological Applications

chapter 13|17 pages

Actualist Realism: Semantic Applications

chapter 14|16 pages

Actualist Realism: Safe and Sane Ontology?

chapter 15|14 pages

Actualist Realism: Paradox

chapter 17|18 pages

Actualist Realism: Representation

part |2 pages

Part IV: Conclusion

chapter 18|3 pages

Summary and Evaluation