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Preface. <p>Acknowledgements.</p> <p>1. An Analysis of Counterfactuals.</p> <p>Introduction.</p> <p>Strict Conditionals.</p> <p>Variably Strict Conditionals.</p> <p>The Limit Assumption.</p> <p>'Might' Counterfactuals and Outer Modalities.</p> <p>Impossible Antecedents.</p> <p>True Antecedents.</p> <p>Counterfactual Fallacies.</p> <p>Potentialities.</p> <p>2. Reformulations.</p> <p>Multiple Modalities.</p> <p>Propositional Quantifiers.</p> <p>Comparative Similarity.</p> <p>Similarity Measures.</p> <p>Comparative Possibility.</p> <p>Cotenability.</p> <p>Selection Functions.</p> <p>The Selection Operator.</p> <p>3. Comparisons.</p> <p>The Metalinguistic Theory: Implicit Premisis.</p> <p>The Metalinguistic Theory: Factual Premises.</p> <p>The Metalinguistic Theory: Laws of Nature.</p> <p>Stalnaker's Theory.</p> <p>4. Foundations.</p> <p>Possible Worlds.</p> <p>Similarity.</p> <p>5. Analogies.</p> <p>Conditional Obligation.</p> <p>'When Next' and 'When Last'.</p> <p>Contextually Definite Descriptions.</p> <p>6. Logics.</p> <p>Completeness Results.</p> <p>Decidability Results.</p> <p>Derived Modal Logics.</p> <p>Appendix: Related Writings by David Lewis.</p> <p>Index.</p>

"'Contrary-to-fact conditionals have provided logical analysts with fascinating puzzles. (This book) has a unitary theme presented clearly and attractively for the most part with only the unavoidable minimum of formal apparatus. The theme is pursued confidently and relentlessly without evasions or qualifications." <i>Times Literary Supplement</i> <p>"This is an excellent book. It combines shrewd philosophical sense with a fine technical expertise. The statement of views is concise and forthright." <i>Kit Fine, Mind</i></p> <p>"This essay is a virtuoso performance." <i>British Journal for the Philosophy of Science</i></p> <p>"Beautifully and lucidly written and full of clever ideas. It contains very many philosophical insights and comparisons." <i>J. J. C. Smart, Australasian Journal of Philosophy</i></p>

<b>David Lewis</b> (1941- 2001) was Professor of Philosophy at Princeton University. His publications include <i>Convention </i>(reissued by Blackwell 2002), <i>On the Plurality of Worlds</i> (reissued by Blackwell, 2000), <i>Parts of Classes</i> (1991), and of numerous articles in metaphysics and other areas. Many of his writings are available in his <i>Collected Papers</i>.

<i>Counterfactuals</i> is David Lewis's forceful presentation of and sustained argument for a particular view about propositions which express contrary-to-fact conditionals, including his famous defense of realism about possible worlds. Since its original publication in 1973, it has become a classic of contemporary philosophy, and is essential reading for anyone interested in the logic and metaphysics of counterfactuals. The book also includes an appendix of related writings by Lewis.

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