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Symmetric and Asymmetric Theories of Time
Date Issued
2021-10-15
Journal
Synthese
No
199
From page
14403
To page
14426
Reviewed by peer
1
Abstract
There is a feeling of dissatisfaction with the traditional way of defining the A-theories of time. One reason is that these definitions rest on an ontological question – ‘Do the future and the past exist?’ – to which no non-speculative answer can be provided. Another reason is that these definitions fail to distinguish between various A-theories of time at all times and, therefore, cannot be regarded as essential to them. In the present paper, I make a fresh start in the debate, by introducing two questions whose specific answers allow one to get a comprehensive categorization of the A-theories of time. This alternative way of defining the A-theories of time addresses the two above-mentioned issues and reveals the metaphysical singularity of underrated theories, such as the growing block theory.
Other version
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11229-021-03427-7
Publication type
journal article
