The four dimensional Abelian Higgs model with monopoles and Θ-term is considered in the limit of the large mass of the higgs boson. We show that for Θ = 2π the theory is equivalent, at large distances, to summation over all possible world-sheets of fermionic strings with Dirichlet type boundary conditions on string coordinates. Dedicated to the memory of Alexandr Hohlov. e–mail: akhmedov@vxitep...

Tense logic is often said to possess insufficient expressive resources to serve as a theory of the nature of time. This paper counters this objection by showing how to obtain quantification over times in a tense logic in which all temporal distinctions are ultimately spelled out in terms of the two simple tense operators “it was the case that” and “it will be the case that.” This account of tim...

I start from three premises, roughly as follows: (1) that if possible world x is better than world y for every individual who exists in either world, then x is better than y; (2) that if x has a higher average utility, a higher total utility, and no more inequality than y, then x is better than y; (3) that better than is transitive. From these premises, it follows that equality lacks intrinsic ...

The paper reviews the technical results from modal logic as well as their philosophical significance. It focuses on possible worlds semantics in general and on the notion of a possible world, of accessibility, and object.

The Independent Choice Logic began in the early 90’s as a way to combine logic programming and probability into a coherent framework. The idea of the Independent Choice Logic is straightforward: there is a set of independent choices with a probability distribution over each choice, and a logic program that gives the consequences of the choices. There is a measure over possible worlds that is de...

One version of the argument for design relies on the assumption that the apparent fine-tuning of the universe for the existence of life requires an explanation. I argue that the assumption is false. Philosophers who argue for the assumption usually appeal to analogies, such as the one in which a person was to draw a particular straw among a very large number of straws in order not to be killed....

Robert Nozick’s tracking account of knowledge is defended against Colin McGinn’s criticisms by drawing on David Deutsch’s ’multiverse’ conception of possible worlds. Knowledge on the tracking account requires a ’method’ or ’way’ of believing. Exploiting this feature undercuts the apparent force of McGinn’s counter-examples. This essay focuses on Colin McGinn’s critique in Knowledge and Reality ...

Adams’ Thesis the claim that the probabilities of indicative conditionals equal the conditional probabilities of their consequents given their antecedents – has proven impossible to accommodate within orthodox possible worlds semantics. This paper considers the approaches to the problem taken by Jeffrey and Stalnaker (1994) and by McGee (1989), but rejects them on the grounds that they imply a ...