Single Idea 16026

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

Full Idea

We have four versions of Four-Dimensionalism: the relativistic view that time is space-like; a persisting thing is identical with its history (so objects are events); past and future are equally real; or (Lewis) things extend in time, with temporal parts.

Gist of Idea

4D: time is space-like; a thing is its history; past and future are real; or things extend in time

Source

André Gallois (Identity over Time [2011], §2.5)

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.11


A Reaction

Broad proposed the second one. I prefer 3-D: at any given time a thing is wholly present. At another time it is wholly present despite having changed. It is ridiculous to think that small changes destroy identity. We acquire identity by dying??