Plausibility of the Existence of all Possible States

ALASTAIR MALCOLM


The argument for the existence of all possible worlds has in the past been deemed problematical due to the failure of induction it implies. In this paper I argue that by focussing on an approach that distinguishes a hidden reality from the world of appearance, and on a corresponding generalisation from 'all possible worlds' to 'all possible states', this problem is readily surmountable. Moreover the positive success of inductive reasoning and the lack of observed paranormal events emerge as a natural consequence.