Single Idea 12296

[catalogued under 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 4. Four-Dimensionalism]

Full Idea

Four-dimensionalists have thought that a material thing is as equally 'stretched out' in time as it is in space, and that there is no special way in which it is entirely present at a moment rather than at a position.

Gist of Idea

4-D says things are stretched in space and in time, and not entire at a time or at a location

Source

Kit Fine (In Defence of Three-Dimensionalism [2006], p.1)

Book Reference

'Being: Developments in Contemporary Metaphysics', ed/tr. Le Poidevin,R [CUP 2008], p.1


A Reaction

Compare his definition of 3-D in Idea 12295. The 4-D is contrary to our normal way of thinking. Since I don't think the future exists, I presume that if I am a 4-D object then I have to say that I don't yet exist, and I disapprove of such talk.

Related Idea

Idea 12295 3-D says things are stretched in space but not in time, and entire at a time but not at a location [Fine,K]