LEADER 03931nam 2200781 a 450 001 9910820922803321 005 20200520144314.0 010 $a0-7735-2480-0 010 $a0-7735-8338-6 010 $a1-317-48967-5 010 $a1-317-48968-3 010 $a1-315-71068-4 010 $a1-282-92135-5 010 $a9786612921353 010 $a1-84465-334-X 024 7 $a10.4324/9781315710686 035 $a(CKB)2670000000060718 035 $a(EBL)1900150 035 $a(SSID)ssj0000439731 035 $a(PQKBManifestationID)12165938 035 $a(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000439731 035 $a(PQKBWorkID)10464358 035 $a(PQKB)11226761 035 $a(MiAaPQ)EBC1900150 035 $a(Au-PeEL)EBL1900150 035 $a(CaPaEBR)ebr10455597 035 $a(CaONFJC)MIL292135 035 $a(OCoLC)898771511 035 $a(OCoLC)958109345 035 $a(OCoLC)1199307077 035 $a(FINmELB)ELB135966 035 $a(UkCbUP)CR9781844653348 035 $a(MiAaPQ)EBC3332251 035 $a(DE-B1597)656279 035 $a(DE-B1597)9780773583382 035 $a(EXLCZ)992670000000060718 100 $a20120717d2003 uy 0 101 0 $aeng 135 $aur||||||||||| 181 $ctxt$2rdacontent 182 $cc$2rdamedia 183 $acr$2rdacarrier 200 10$aModality /$fJoseph Melia 210 $aMontreal ;$aIthaca $cMcGill-Queen's University Press$dc2003 210 1$aChesham [England] :$cAcumen,$d2003. 215 $a1 online resource (viii, 190 pages) $cdigital, PDF file(s) 225 1 $aCentral problems of philosophy 300 $aTitle from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 02 Oct 2015). 311 $a1-902683-47-1 311 $a1-902683-48-X 320 $aIncludes bibliographical references and index. 327 $aCover; 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 330 $aMore and more philosophers are using modal notions to solve problems and to analyse concepts. In this introduction to the topic of modality Joseph Melia places his emphasis on a commitment to possible worlds as the best way to understand the nature of necessity. Melia demonstrates how different theories about possible worlds not only influence our more general modal beliefs but illustrate and illuminate various methodological considerations, such as the degree to which any philosophical theory ought to respect common sense. The book begins by introducing readers to various notions of possibility, the de re/de dicto distinction and the ubiquity of our modal concepts. It then presents an accessible introduction to modal logic and possible worlds semantics. Melia argues that by accepting possible worlds into our metaphysics, we can justify such formal semantics, refute Quine's modal scepticism, and make sense of our ordinary thought and talk about the modal. Various theories of possible worlds are critically examined, including David Lewis's extreme realism, Alvin Plantinga's moderate realism, David Armstrong's combinatorialism and the linguistic theory. The book is accessible and engaging throughout and will be welcomed by students looking for a non-technical introduction to a much discussed and contested area of philosophical inquiry. 410 0$aCentral problems of philosophy (Montreal, Quebec) 606 $aModality (Logic) 606 $aModality (Theory of knowledge) 615 0$aModality (Logic) 615 0$aModality (Theory of knowledge) 676 $a160 676 $a160 700 $aMelia$b Joseph$01724356 801 0$bMiAaPQ 801 1$bMiAaPQ 801 2$bMiAaPQ 906 $aBOOK 912 $a9910820922803321 996 $aModality$94126420 997 $aUNINA