Single Idea 6866

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / e. Death]

Full Idea

For the A-theorists called 'presentists' the past is as unreal as the future, and reality leaves us behind once we die, which is disturbing; but B-theorists, who see time as unreal, say we are just as real after our deaths as we were beforehand.

Gist of Idea

It is disturbing if we become unreal when we die, but if time is unreal, then we remain real after death

Source

Robin Le Poidevin (Interview with Baggini and Stangroom [2001], p.174)

Book Reference

Baggini,J/Stangroom,J: 'New British Philosophy' [Routledge 2002], p.174


A Reaction

See Idea 6865 for A and B theories. I wonder if this problem is only superficially 'disturbing'. Becoming unreal may sound more drastic than becoming dead, but they both sound pretty terminal to me.

Related Idea

Idea 6865 A-theory says past, present, future and flow exist; B-theory says this just reports our perspective [Le Poidevin]