Conference Level
Graduate
Start Date
1-4-2017 1:15 PM
End Date
1-4-2017 1:45 PM
Abstract
A-Theory or B-Theory of Time? An Aristotelian Answer
The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of Aristotle’s theory of time, in order to understand if it could introduce a stimulus into the contemporary debate on the nature of time between A-theorists and B-theorists. The first section (§1) of the paper is devoted to a conceptual explanation of these two main positions about the nature of time and their intimate link with eternalism and presentism. The second section (§2) presents the Aristotelian view on the nature of time (Strobach: 1998), considering his analysis on the notion of ‘periods’ (χρóνοι) and ‘instants’ or ‘nows’ (νυν) and arguing a metaphysical priority of the ‘now’ on the ‘period’.
The third section (§3) tries to locate the Aristotelian theory into this contemporary debate, following two different strategies. Initially, it will be argued in favour of Aristotle present’s primacy demonstrating his preference for A-theory of time. Secondly, thorough the help of an argument from Jeffery Brower (2011), the paper provides an account of Aristotle’s position in a specific debate on the nature of time concerning the problem of ‘temporary intrinsics’, stating an Aristotelian endurantism. In the Conclusion, the paper claims the perfect consistency of Aristotle present’s primacy with Brower’s argument in favour of Aristotle’s endurantism.
Bibliography
Aristotle. (1995). Physic. Harvard University Press.
Brower, J. (2011). Aristotelian Endurantism: A new Solution to the Problem of temporary Intrinsics. Mind 112: 882-905.
Strobach, N. (1998). The Moment of Change. A Systematic History in the Philosophy of Space and Time. Springer-Science+Business Media, B.V.
Key-words
Aristotle – A-theory – B-theory – endurantism – metaphysics - perdurantism
Included in
A-Theory or B-Theory of Time? An Aristotelian Answer
A-Theory or B-Theory of Time? An Aristotelian Answer
The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of Aristotle’s theory of time, in order to understand if it could introduce a stimulus into the contemporary debate on the nature of time between A-theorists and B-theorists. The first section (§1) of the paper is devoted to a conceptual explanation of these two main positions about the nature of time and their intimate link with eternalism and presentism. The second section (§2) presents the Aristotelian view on the nature of time (Strobach: 1998), considering his analysis on the notion of ‘periods’ (χρóνοι) and ‘instants’ or ‘nows’ (νυν) and arguing a metaphysical priority of the ‘now’ on the ‘period’.
The third section (§3) tries to locate the Aristotelian theory into this contemporary debate, following two different strategies. Initially, it will be argued in favour of Aristotle present’s primacy demonstrating his preference for A-theory of time. Secondly, thorough the help of an argument from Jeffery Brower (2011), the paper provides an account of Aristotle’s position in a specific debate on the nature of time concerning the problem of ‘temporary intrinsics’, stating an Aristotelian endurantism. In the Conclusion, the paper claims the perfect consistency of Aristotle present’s primacy with Brower’s argument in favour of Aristotle’s endurantism.
Bibliography
Aristotle. (1995). Physic. Harvard University Press.
Brower, J. (2011). Aristotelian Endurantism: A new Solution to the Problem of temporary Intrinsics. Mind 112: 882-905.
Strobach, N. (1998). The Moment of Change. A Systematic History in the Philosophy of Space and Time. Springer-Science+Business Media, B.V.
Key-words
Aristotle – A-theory – B-theory – endurantism – metaphysics - perdurantism