Single Idea 16201

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

Full Idea

According to Perdurance Theory, it is long-lived sums of stages which are tennis balls, whereas according to Stage Theory, it is the stages themselves which are tennis balls.

Gist of Idea

Perdurance says things are sums of stages; Stage Theory says each stage is the thing

Source

Katherine Hawley (How Things Persist [2001], 2.2)

Book Reference

Hawley,Katherine: 'How Things Persist' [OUP 2004], p.42


A Reaction

These seem to be the two options if you are a four-dimensionalist, though Fine says you could be a weird three-dimensionalist and choose stage theory.

Related Idea

Idea 12279 The differentia indicate the qualities, but not the essence [Aristotle]