Single Idea 4231

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / i. Denying time]

Full Idea

McTaggart argued that time involves change, only the A-series can explain change, the A-series involves contradictions (past, present and future), and hence time is unreal.

Clarification

A-series time is a fixed background to events

Gist of Idea

Time involves change, only the A-series explains change, but it involves contradictions, so time is unreal

Source

report of J.M.E. McTaggart (The Nature of Existence vol.2 [1927]) by E.J. Lowe - A Survey of Metaphysics p.313

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'A Survey of Metaphysics' [OUP 2002], p.313


A Reaction

I doubt whether it is a logical contradiction to say Waterloo has been past, present and future, though it is odd.