The Possible and the Actual: Readings in the Metaphysics of Modality

by Michael J. Loux (Editor )

This well-chosen collection of fifteen important essays in the fields of philosophical logic and metaphysics addresses questions relating to the nature and status of possible worlds.

Genres: Philosophy, Metaphysics, Logic

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1979

Reviews

[Kramer Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming into this book I had some background in modal metaphysics, and just a little background in modal logic. Given this, the book was fairly challenging to read but - for the most part - understandable with some care and thought. This wasn't the case for the entire book. Some parts - particularly those with a lot of logic or discussions of Russellian/Fregean semantics - I basically didn't understand at all. Still, overall I found this to be an interesting and informative overview of discussions surrounding modality that were pertinent in the late 1970s.

I will note that I especially liked Loux's introductory essay at the start of the book. I found this to be an extremely lucid and helpful overview of the debates and the papers discussed throughout the rest of the book.