Harris, Matthew;
(2022)
An Everettian Account of Modality.
Masters thesis (M.Phil), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
In this thesis I propose that if Everettian Quantum Mechanics (EQM) is correct, then ordinary-objects contained within Everettian worlds ground the truth of nomic de re modal statements in a desirable way. Guided by desiderata set out following a brief assessment of notable modal accounts, I outline one way in which an Everettian account of objective de re modality can be formulated. By applying Eternalism and a formulation of Worm Theory to branching EQM with overlapping worlds, I arrive at an Everettian account of modality whereby concrete ordinary-objects – perduring ‘Branching-Worms’ – ground the truth of de re modal statements, in virtue of having parts which exemplify properties that the modal statement asserts of the ordinary-objects. I conclude that the Everettian modal account I have outlined requires further development in certain areas but hopefully shows some promise as a contending account of modality.
| Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | M.Phil |
| Title: | An Everettian Account of Modality |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2022. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of Arts and Humanities UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Dept of Philosophy UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10151337 |
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