Introduction to Modal Worlds
The video is part two of a discussion on possible worlds; prior viewing of part one is strongly recommended to grasp significant foundational concepts relevant to this content.
Focus on Another Earth
The discussion primarily analyzes the film Another Earth, directed by Mike Cahill, where astronomers make a groundbreaking discovery of a duplicate Earth orbiting in the same solar system.
Film Overview
The plot centers on Rhoda Williams, a gifted teenager who earns admission to MIT. However, tragedy strikes when she drives under the influence and causes a fatal accident, claiming the lives of a woman, her son, and her unborn child - all while being distracted by the appearance of another Earth in the sky.
Following her time in a juvenile correctional facility, Rhoda struggles with guilt and a desire for redemption. At the same time, John Burroughs, the sole survivor of the accident, is left in a coma. Four years later, both are released from their respective fates, with John unaware of the connection to his tragic past.
Modal Realism and Possible Worlds
Understanding Modal Realism
Modal realism is a philosophical investigation into the nature of possible worlds, raising debates about whether these worlds are merely imaginary constructs or real entities that exist in some form.
Prominent philosopher David Lewis advocates the view that possible worlds are real, causally isolated entities. His argument asserts a critical difference between possible worlds and multiverse theories—possible worlds do not interact with each other, which fundamentally distinguishes them.
Counterpart Theory
Lewis's Counterpart Theory
Lewis's counterpart theory posits that individuals are not identical to themselves across different possible worlds; instead, they have counterparts—duplications in other worlds that may possess different properties or traits. An example: The claim "I might have been born ginger" refers to a version of oneself existing in a possible world where that trait is true.
Critique of Counterpart Theory: The Humphrey Objection
Philosopher Saul Kripke introduces the Humphrey Objection, using the example of Herbert Humphrey's electoral loss in 1968 to challenge Lewis's perspective. Kripke emphasizes that people are more emotionally connected to their own potential experiences, such as regret and sadness, than to those of their counterparts in alternate worlds. This perspective questions whether counterpart theory fully captures the essence of human emotional responses to modal statements.
Rhoda’s Journey as a Counterargument
In Another Earth, Rhoda's journey embodies a counterargument to Kripke’s objection. She enters a competition for a chance to visit the duplicate Earth, concurrently developing an emotional connection with John while concealing her true identity. The film poignantly illustrates the moment when the two Earths synchronize - a critical point connected to the accident that involved both Rhoda and her counterpart.
Ultimately, Rhoda makes a selfless decision to give her ticket to John, showcasing her prioritization of their counterparts’ experiences over her own desires. This act highlights themes of empathy and emotional investment in counterparts' potential lives, thereby challenging the idea that emotional connections to counterparts are insignificant.
