What does nihilism tell us about modal logic?

Christopher Masterman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Brauer (Philos Stud 179:2751–2763, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-022-01793-7, 2022) has recently argued that if it is possible that there is nothing, then the correct modal logic for metaphysical modality cannot include D. Here, I argue that Brauer’s argument is unsuccessful; or at the very least significantly weaker than presented. First, I outline a simple argument for why it is not possible that there is nothing. I note that this argument has a well-known solution involving the distinction between truth in and truth at a possible world. However, I then argue that once the semantics presupposed by Brauer’s argument is reformulated in terms of truth at a world, we have good reasons to think that a crucial semantic premise in Brauer’s argument should be rejected in favour of an alternative. Brauer’s argument is, however, no longer valid with this alternative premise. Thus, plausibly Brauer’s argument against D is only valid, if it is not sound.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1851-1875
Number of pages25
JournalPhilosophical Studies
Volume181
Early online date21 Jun 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Nihilism
  • Modal logic
  • Possible worlds
  • Truth at a world
  • Propositions

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