Single Idea 9666

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / g. Growing block]

Full Idea

It is hard to believe that any philosopher means it when they say the future is unreal. If anyone is right that there is no future, that moment is their last, and it is the end of everything.

Gist of Idea

It is quite implausible that the future is unreal, as that would terminate everything

Source

David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], 4.2)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'On the Plurality of Worlds' [Blackwell 2001], p.207


A Reaction

A bit simplistic. I might say 'there will be a future time, but it doesn't exist now'. That's the peculiar thing about time. If I say New York doesn't exist, then clearly I can't visit it. The London 2012 Olympic Stadium is going to exist.