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Single Idea 12298

[filed under theme 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 3. Three-Dimensionalism ]

Full Idea

In order to have genuine motion, rather than mere variation in position, it is necessary that the object should be 'entirely present' at each moment of the change. Thus without entire presence, or existence, genuine motion will not be possible.

Gist of Idea

Genuine motion, rather than variation of position, requires the 'entire presence' of the object

Source

Kit Fine (In Defence of Three-Dimensionalism [2006], p.6)

Book Ref

'Being: Developments in Contemporary Metaphysics', ed/tr. Le Poidevin,R [CUP 2008], p.6


A Reaction

See Idea 4786 for a rival view of motion. Of course, who says we have to have Kit Fine's 'genuine' motion, if some sort of ersatz motion still gets you to work in the morning?

Related Idea

Idea 4786 Russell's 'at-at' theory says motion is to be at the intervening points at the intervening instants [Russell, by Psillos]


The 12 ideas with the same theme [objects extend in space, but not in time]:

'Dense' time raises doubts about continuous objects, so they need 'continuous' time [Harré/Madden]
Endurance is the wrong account, because things change intrinsic properties like shape [Lewis]
There are three responses to the problem that intrinsic shapes do not endure [Lewis]
3-D says things are stretched in space but not in time, and entire at a time but not at a location [Fine,K]
Genuine motion, rather than variation of position, requires the 'entire presence' of the object [Fine,K]
An object 'endures' if it is always wholly present, and 'perdures' if different parts exist at different times [Lowe]
Three-dimensionalists assert 'enduring', being wholly present at each moment, and deny 'temporal parts' [Sider]
Some might say that its inconsistency with time travel is a reason to favour three-dimensionalism [Sider]
Endurance theory can relate properties to times, or timed instantiations to properties [Hawley]
Endurance is a sophisticated theory, covering properties, instantiation and time [Hawley]
The persistence of objects seems to be needed if the past is to explain the present [Haslanger]
Persistence makes change and its products intelligible [Haslanger]