Re: SUO: Re: 3D/4D question
Chris,
As I pointed out in my note to Bill, I suggest that we drop
that nonsense about possible words.
And as I suggested once to you, give me any example that uses
a possible worlds interpretation, and I'll give you a simpler,
more natural translation to a laws & facts basis for modality.
Example:
> But, unfortunately, obviously does not capture what we mean when we make
> de re modal claims like Brando's "I coulda been a contendah."
As laws, we take all the ordinary physical, cultural, economic,
and politcal laws of the world at the time when Brando's character
was training for the championship. Then we create a context by
copying those laws together with the facts of the same world
except for a few appropriate modifications according to Brando's
specifications (and their implications when conjoined with the laws).
In that context, "Brando's character is a contendah" is a fact.
Bottom line: Creating the context can be done at the metalevel,
and the implications can be inferred at the object level with FOL.
None of Lewis's mythical worlds are required.
John