Single Idea 16698

[catalogued under 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 6. Successive Things]

Full Idea

I grant that a successive being is composed out of non-beings, as is clear of a day, which is composed of non-entities. Some part of this day is past and some future, and yet this day is.

Gist of Idea

Days exist, and yet they seem to be made up of parts which don't exist

Source

Walter Burley (Commentary on 'Physics' [1325], III text 11,f.65rb), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 18.3

Book Reference

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.386


A Reaction

The dilemma of Aristotle over time infected the scholastic attempt to give an account of successive entities. A day is a wonderfully elusive entity for a metaphysician.

Related Ideas

Idea 16693 Time has parts, but the now is not one of them, and time is not composed of nows [Aristotle]

Idea 16699 Successive entities just need parts to succeed one another, without their existence [Albert of Saxony]