Ersatz Modal Realism in Literature & Literary Theory

Ersatz Modal Realism: Etymology, Meanings and Concept

Ersatz Modal Realism:

Ersatz Modal Realism is a philosophical stance that addresses the nature of possible worlds, a concept often discussed in modal logic and metaphysics. This view, developed by philosopher David Lewis, posits that possible worlds are not abstract entities but rather concrete, existing entities. However, unlike actual worlds, these possible worlds are considered ersatz or substitute, lacking the same ontological status. Lewis contends that possible worlds are a useful and coherent way to make sense of modal claims, such as necessity and possibility, providing a framework for understanding alternative ways reality could have been.

Meanings and Concepts:

1. Concrete Possible Worlds: Modal Realism proposes that possible worlds are concrete entities, not abstract or unreal. These worlds exist on par with the actual world but are considered ersatz substitutes.
2. Ontological Status: The theory distinguishes between actual worlds, which are the real world we inhabit, and possible worlds, which exist in a different sense but are still part of the overall structure of reality.
3. Modal Claims: Ersatz Realism is particularly concerned with modal claims, such as necessity and possibility. It suggests that possible worlds offer a coherent framework for understanding and interpreting modal statements.
4. Contingency: The theory acknowledges that the actual world is just one among many possible worlds, emphasizing the contingency of our reality and exploring alternative ways in which the world could have been.
5. Philosophical Framework: Developed by David Lewis, Ersatz Realism provides a philosophical framework that attempts to reconcile the intuitions surrounding modal concepts with a concrete understanding of possible worlds.

Ersatz Modal Realism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Ersatz Modal Realism is a philosophical concept introduced by David Lewis, addressing the nature of possible worlds. In this theory, possible worlds are considered concrete entities that exist as ersatz substitutes, lacking the same ontological status as the actual world. It provides a framework for understanding modal claims, positing that these possible worlds offer a coherent way to interpret concepts like necessity and possibility in philosophy.

Ersatz Modal Realism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

• David Lewis: Ersatz Realism is primarily associated with the work of philosopher David Lewis, who developed and articulated the theory in his influential writings.

Works:

• “On the Plurality of Worlds” (1986): This seminal work by David Lewis serves as a comprehensive exposition of Ersatz Modal Realism, providing detailed arguments and insights into the nature of possible worlds and their ontological status.

Arguments:

• Concrete Possible Worlds: Lewis’s central argument in Ersatz Modal Realism posits that possible worlds are concrete entities rather than abstract or unreal, providing a distinctive perspective on modal metaphysics.
• Modal Claims and Coherence: The theory argues that possible worlds offer a coherent framework for understanding modal claims, such as necessity and possibility, providing a systematic way to interpret and analyze these philosophical concepts.
• Contingency and Alternative Realities: Ersatz Modal Realism contends that the actual world is just one among many possible worlds, emphasizing the contingency of our reality and exploring alternative ways in which the world could have been.

Ersatz Modal Realism: Major Characteristics

1. Concrete Possible Worlds: In Ersatz Modal Realism, possible worlds are considered concrete entities rather than abstract or unreal. These worlds exist on the same ontological footing as the actual world but are viewed as ersatz substitutes.
2. Ontological Status Distinction: The theory introduces a clear distinction between actual worlds, representing the real world we inhabit, and possible worlds, which exist as part of the overall structure of reality but lack the same ontological status as the actual world.
3. Modal Claims Framework: Ersatz Modal Realism provides a philosophical framework for understanding and interpreting modal claims, such as necessity and possibility. It posits that possible worlds offer a coherent way to make sense of these modal concepts.
4. Contingency Emphasis: The theory underscores the contingency of our reality by suggesting that the actual world is just one among many possible worlds. It explores alternative ways in which the world could have been, acknowledging the diverse paths that reality might have taken.
5. Philosophical System by David Lewis: Ersatz Modal Realism is closely associated with the philosophical system developed by David Lewis. His influential work, “On the Plurality of Worlds” (1986), serves as a foundational text that presents and defends the theory with detailed arguments and discussions.
6. Reconciliation of Intuitions: The theory aims to reconcile our intuitions about modal concepts with a concrete understanding of possible worlds. It provides a systematic and coherent approach to modal metaphysics, addressing questions about necessity, possibility, and alternative realities.

Ersatz Modal Realism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theories	Relevance of Ersatz Modal Realism
Postmodernism	Ersatz Modal Realism aligns with postmodern literary tendencies that challenge traditional notions of reality and explore alternative narratives. The concrete possible worlds concept can be employed to create complex, multilayered narratives that question the nature of truth and existence.
Metafiction	The theory can be relevant in metafiction, where authors deliberately draw attention to the constructed nature of their narratives. Ersatz Modal Realism provides a framework for understanding the fictional worlds within a work as concrete entities, contributing to discussions about the relationship between fiction and reality.
Science Fiction	In science fiction, Ersatz Modal Realism can be applied to develop intricate and coherent speculative worlds. Writers can use the theory to explore diverse realities and examine the consequences of alternative choices, enriching the genre’s capacity for world-building.
Magical Realism	Ersatz Modal Realism complements magical realism by providing a metaphysical foundation for the coexistence of magical elements within a realistic setting. It allows authors to create fictional worlds where extraordinary events are considered concrete possibilities, enhancing the blending of the magical and the mundane.
Existentialism	Within existentialist literature, Ersatz Modal Realism can be relevant in depicting characters grappling with the contingency of their existence. The theory’s emphasis on alternative realities aligns with existentialist themes of choice, responsibility, and the exploration of different life paths.

Ersatz Modal Realism: Application in Critiques

1. If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino:
   • Application of Concrete Possible Worlds: Ersatz Realism can be applied to analyze Calvino’s intricate narrative structure, where the reader encounters multiple stories within stories. The concept of concrete possible worlds allows critics to explore the ontological status of these narrative layers, considering them as ersatz substitutes for the actual world. This analysis enriches discussions on the nature of fiction and the reader’s engagement with diverse textual realities.
2. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell:
   • Exploration of Alternative Realities: Ersatz Realism is relevant in critiquing Cloud Atlas, a novel that weaves together multiple narratives across different time periods. Critics can employ the theory to examine how Mitchell explores alternative realities and the contingency of historical events. The concept of possible worlds enhances discussions about the novel’s ambitious narrative structure and its engagement with speculative fiction.
3. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez:
   • Magical Realism and Concrete Possibilities: Ersatz Realism can be applied to critique Márquez’s use of magical realism. Critics can explore how the theory enhances our understanding of the concrete possibilities within the magical realist world of Macondo. The ontological status of these fantastical elements becomes a focal point, enriching discussions on the interplay between reality and the extraordinary in the novel.
4. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams:
   • Science Fiction World-Building: In critiquing Adams’ humorous science fiction work, Ersatz Realism can be employed to analyze the construction of diverse and absurd possible worlds within the narrative. The theory provides a framework for understanding the concrete existence of these imaginative worlds, contributing to discussions on the genre’s world-building aspects. Critics can explore how the theory enhances our appreciation of the novel’s satirical take on the universe.

By applying Ersatz Realism to these literary works, critics can delve into the ontological implications of fictional worlds, the exploration of alternative realities, and the interplay between concrete and speculative elements within the narratives.

Ersatz Modal Realism: Relevant Terms

Term	Description
Modal Realism	Philosophy exploring concrete existence of possible worlds.
Actualism	Asserts only the actual world exists, rejecting possible worlds.
Possible Worlds Semantics	Framework in modal logic for analyzing possibility and necessity.
Transworld Identity	Concept dealing with identity across different possible worlds.
Counterfactuals	Statements about what could have happened in different conditions.
Modality	Study of necessity and possibility, central to Ersatz Modal Realism.
Alethic Modalities	Modalities related to truth, like necessity and possibility.
Quantified Modal Logic	Logical system extending modal logic with quantifiers.
Possibilism	Metaphysical stance affirming reality of possible worlds.
Contingent Existence	Idea that entities exist contingently, dependent on conditions.

Ersatz Modal Realism: Suggested Readings

1. Lewis, David. Counterfactuals. Harvard UP, 1973.
2. Lewis, David. On the Plurality of Worlds. Blackwell, 1986.
3. Plantinga, Alvin. The Nature of Necessity. Oxford UP, 1974.
4. Rosen, Gideon. “Modal Fictionalism.” Mind, vol. 114, no. 454, 2005, pp. 464-477.
5. Sider, Theodore. Four-Dimensionalism: An Ontology of Persistence and Time. Oxford UP, 2001.
6. Stalnaker, Robert. Ways a World Might Be: Metaphysical and Anti-Metaphysical Essays. Oxford UP, 2003.
7. van Inwagen, Peter. Metaphysics. Westview Press, 2015.