Experiencing TimeOur engagement with time is a ubiquitous feature of our lives. We are aware of time on many scales, from the briefest flicker of change to the way our lives unfold over many years. But to what extent does this encounter reveal the true nature of temporal reality? To the extent that temporal reality is as it seems, how do we come to be aware of it? And to the extent that temporal reality is not as it seems, why does it seem that way? These are the central questions addressed by Simon Prosser in Experiencing Time. These questions take on a particular importance in philosophy for two reasons. Firstly, there is a view concerning the metaphysics of time, known as the B-theory of time, according to which the apparently dynamic quality of change, the special status of the present, and even the passage of time are all illusions. Instead, the world is a four-dimensional space-time block, lacking any of the apparent dynamic features of time. If the B-theory is correct, as the book argues, then it must be explained why our experiences seem to tell us otherwise. Secondly, experiences of temporal features such as changes, rates and durations are of independent interest because of certain puzzles that they raise, the solutions to which may shed light on broader issues in the philosophy of mind. |
Contents
Introduction The Metaphysics of Time | 1 |
Experience and the Passage of Time | 22 |
Attitudes to the Past Present and Future | 61 |
Experiencing Rates and Durations | 84 |
Is Experience Temporally Extended? | 117 |
Why Does Change Seem Dynamic? | 160 |
Moving Through Time and the Open Future | 187 |
| 207 | |
| 219 | |
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Common terms and phrases
A-properties A-theorist according actions actual appear argue argument assume aware B-theory become believe brain Chapter claim clear concerns conscious Consequently Consider consists contain correct course depends described detect determine direction discussion distinction duration dynamic earlier Earth element enduring environment example existence experience experienced explain extended fact follows functional further future given hold Horatio illusion imagine instantaneous intentionalism interval involves kind later least light means memory mental mind motion moving nature necessary object occur one's passage passes past perceived perception Perhaps phenomenal character phenomenology physical plausible position possible problem processes properties proposition putative question reality reason representational content represented retained root canal seems SEF relations sense similar single Slow space spatial specific specious present stands suggest Suppose temporal theory things thought true truth utterance