The world is a representation of itself. Things in the world are the way they are because they could not be any other way. Sometimes we talk about "possible worlds," but to think that since a world is possible, it is actual, is a grave mistake. There are many different ways things *could* be, but there is only one way they actually *are*. That way is what we know as the world. We can consult the world to acquire facts. We can communicate with the world to perform actions. The fact that we call what this is "The World" can be confusing. Worlds are often used to denote planets, but in the philosophical sense, the world is used to denote all of the things that are. Sometimes we say "The Universe," but this as well has physical connotations. In physics, we speak of the "observable universe," because we suspect not all of the light that exists has reached our vantage point. I think that this is the most appropriate use of "The Universe," and if we want to refer to planets, I think it is best we call them "Planets." So we can retain the use of the term "The World" to describe everything that is, from a philosophical perspective. --- #Philosophy #2021/4 *April 10, 2021*