# Formal Proof of Extended Modal Realism (EMR) by Necessity --- ## Definitions - Let **U** be the universe, the totality of all empirical facts. - Let **M(U)** be a formal model of the universe: a set of propositions or axioms that, in principle, accounts for all truths about **U**. - Let **PSR** be the Principle of Sufficient Reason: *Every fact or truth has a sufficient explanation.* - Let **EMR** be **Extended Modal Realism**: *All logically possible worlds exist — the actual world is just one among them.* --- ## Step 1: The Universe as a Formal System of Itself **P1.1** Any theory that purports to explain all truths about the universe must include a model **M(U)** that expresses those truths formally. **P1.2** If **M(U)** is sufficiently expressive (e.g., includes arithmetic), consistent, and recursively enumerable, then Gödel’s First Incompleteness Theorem applies. **C1** Therefore, **M(U)** is incomplete: there exist true statements about **U** that are unprovable within **M(U)**. --- ## Step 2: Rejection of Strong Empiricism **P2.1** Strong empiricism asserts that all truths are derivable from empirical observation (i.e., from within **M(U)**). **P2.2** But from **C1**, some truths about **U** are not derivable from within any empirical model. **C2** Therefore, strong empiricism is false. --- ## Step 3: Refutation of Brutalism **P3.1** A brutalist response to **C1** is to treat Gödelian truths as brute — true but without explanation. **P3.2** Suppose we add such a brute proposition to **M(U)** to form **M′(U)**. **P3.3** By Gödel, **M′(U)** is also incomplete — a new unprovable truth **G(M′)** emerges. **P3.4** This process iterates infinitely. There is no final complete model reachable by brute supplementation. **C3** Brutalism fails to halt explanatory incompleteness and degenerates into an infinite series of ungrounded assumptions. --- ## Step 4: PSR is the Only Stable Principle of Explanation **P4.1** PSR demands that *all* truths, including foundational ones, have sufficient reason. **P4.2** Empiricism fails to explain all truths (**C2**); brutalism fails to explain any truths coherently (**C3**). **C4** Therefore, PSR is the only principle that preserves rational explanation in metaphysics. --- ## Step 5: Axiom-Based Theories Violate PSR **P5.1** All finite metaphysical systems (e.g., theism, materialism, idealism, structural realism) begin with a finite set of axioms. **P5.2** Axioms are, by definition, unexplained assumptions within a system. **P5.3** By **P4.1**, PSR rejects any unexplained assumptions. **C5** Therefore, all axiom-based theories of reality violate PSR and are necessarily false if PSR is true. --- ## Step 6: Only EMR Contains No Axioms **P6.1** Extended Modal Realism (EMR) asserts that all logically possible worlds exist. **P6.2** EMR assumes no privileged world, no arbitrary structure, no selected laws — **every possibility is realized**. **P6.3** Therefore, EMR posits no unexplained exclusions or brute facts — it has no axioms. **C6** EMR satisfies the PSR fully. --- ## Step 7: EMR is the Only Metaphysical Theory Consistent with PSR **P7.1** From **C4**, PSR is the only stable principle of explanation. **P7.2** From **C5**, all axiom-based theories violate PSR. **P7.3** From **C6**, EMR is the only theory that satisfies PSR. **C7** Therefore, **EMR is the only metaphysical theory that satisfies the PSR**. --- ## Final Conclusion > **If the Principle of Sufficient Reason is true, then Extended Modal Realism is necessarily true.** > **All other theories of reality are either incomplete, arbitrary, or incoherent.** ∎