Modality / Joseph Melia.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Melia, Joseph.

Series:

Central problems of philosophy (Montreal, Quebec)

Central problems of philosophy

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Modality (Logic).

Modality (Theory of knowledge).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 190 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Montreal ; Ithaca : McGill-Queen's University Press, c2003.

Chesham [England] : Acumen, 2003.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

More and more philosophers are using modal notions to solve problems and to analyse concepts. In this introduction to the topic of modality Joseph Melia places his emphasis on a commitment to possible worlds as the best way to understand the nature of necessity. Melia demonstrates how different theories about possible worlds not only influence our more general modal beliefs but illustrate and illuminate various methodological considerations, such as the degree to which any philosophical theory ought to respect common sense. The book begins by introducing readers to various notions of possibility, the de re/de dicto distinction and the ubiquity of our modal concepts. It then presents an accessible introduction to modal logic and possible worlds semantics. Melia argues that by accepting possible worlds into our metaphysics, we can justify such formal semantics, refute Quine's modal scepticism, and make sense of our ordinary thought and talk about the modal. Various theories of possible worlds are critically examined, including David Lewis's extreme realism, Alvin Plantinga's moderate realism, David Armstrong's combinatorialism and the linguistic theory. The book is accessible and engaging throughout and will be welcomed by students looking for a non-technical introduction to a much discussed and contested area of philosophical inquiry.

Contents:

Cover; Half Title; Title; Copyright; Contents; Acknowledgements; 1 Introduction to modality; 2 Modal language and modal logic; 3 Quinian scepticism; 4 Modalism; 5 Extreme realism; 6 Quiet moderate realism; 7 Possible worlds as sets of sentences; Notes; Further reading; Index

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 02 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

ISBN:

0-7735-2480-0

0-7735-8338-6

1-317-48967-5

1-317-48968-3

1-315-71068-4

1-282-92135-5

9786612921353

1-84465-334-X

9781315710686

OCLC:

898771511