Evaluation of Lewisian Modal Realism with Comparison to Classical Realism

Abstract

Realism is for most scholars is a settled perspective of understanding of the world, as well as a set of assumed research paradigms that encompass the various realist theories and perspectives that have emerged and developed over time. First and foremost, realism is a philosophical tradition and a long-standing view to depict the world. The pessimistic understanding of moral progress and human capabilities underpins realism as a worldview. However, today's realists see history as cyclical rather than progressive, and they are deeply skeptical of humanity's ability to overcome recurring conflicts and establish long-term cooperation and peace. This study argues that through Lewis's work, the new trend of metaphysics is embracing a new kind of realism as the modal one.