About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherOxford University Press, Incorporated

ISBN-100198237677

ISBN-139780198237679

eBay Product ID (ePID)261976

Product Key Features

Number of Pages356 Pages

LanguageEnglish

Publication NameWorlds of Possibility : Modal Realism and the Semantics of Modal Logic

SubjectMetaphysics, Movements / Realism, Logic

Publication Year1998

TypeTextbook

AuthorCharles S. Chihara

Subject AreaMathematics, Philosophy

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height1 in

Item Weight34.9 Oz

Item Length9.2 in

Item Width6.1 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceCollege Audience

LCCN98-006633

Reviews'exciting ...Chihara's account of the relationship between formal and informal semantics is interesting, clever and persuasive.' Michael Byrd, Brit. Jl. Phil Sci. 51, No.2 (2000)., 'Chihara has produced an excellent book. It contains careful and penetrating criticisms of some of the leading modal metaphysical positions today, it forces us to rethink the fundamentals of applied semantics and it contains a new and exciting way of understanding possible worlds semanticswithout possible worlds. In short, this book is a deep and important contribution to our understanding of modality.' Michael Byrd, Brit. Jl. Phil Sci. 51, No.2 (2000)., 'Chihara's book is a commendable source to everyone not yet familiar with the foundational issues.'Years Work in English Studies, 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.

TitleLeadingThe

Dewey Edition21

IllustratedYes

Dewey Decimal160

Table Of ContentIntroduction1. Possible Worlds Semantics2. Transworld Identity3. Modal Realism4. Forbes's Anti-Modal Realism5. The Semantics of Classical Predicate Logic6. Modality without Worlds: The Semantics of Modal Sentential Logic7. Quantificational Logic8. Modality without Worlds: Explorations, Developments, and Defences9. Anti-Realism in MathematicsBibliographyIndex

SynopsisA powerful challenge to some highly influential theories, this book offers a thorough critical exposition of modal realism, the philosophical doctrine that many possible worlds exist of which our own universe is just one. Chihara challenges this claim and offers a new argument for modality without worlds., 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.

LC Classification NumberBC199.M6C48 1998