display all the ideas for this combination of philosophers
2 ideas
14615 | If time flows, then 'how fast does it flow?' is a tricky question [Smart] |
Full Idea: If it is said that time flows, then it seems that the question 'how fast does it flow?' is a devastating one for the A-theorist. | |
From: J.J.C. Smart (The Tenseless Theory of Time [2008], 5) | |
A reaction: This is one of the basic landmarks in any debate on time. Time can't be understood by analogy with anything else (such as a river) it seems. |
14614 | The past, present, future and tenses of A-theory are too weird, and should be analysed indexically [Smart] |
Full Idea: The main objections to the A-theory are due to the metaphysical mysteriousness of the A-theory ideas of past, present and future, and also tenses, and to the greater plausibility of analyzing them as indexicals. | |
From: J.J.C. Smart (The Tenseless Theory of Time [2008], 3) | |
A reaction: When it comes to time, every theory that has ever been though of is deeply weird, so the basic objection doesn't bother me. Analysing as indexicals just seems to be a technical way of denying reality to the present. |