Modal logic as metaphysics - Williamson, Timothy (Oxford University Press, 2013)
Includes bibliographical references and index
Timothy Williamson gives an original and provocative treatment of deep metaphysical questions about existence, contingency, and change, using the latest resources of quantified modal logic. Contrary to the widespread assumption that logic and metaphysics are disjoint, he argues that modal logic provides a structural core for metaphysics
Contingentism and necessitism -- The Barcan formula and its converse : early developments -- Possible worlds model theory -- Predication and modality -- From first-order to higher-order modal logic -- Intensional comprehension principles and metaphysics -- Mappings between contingentist and necessitist discourse -- Consequences of necessitism