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Single Idea 13924

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

Full Idea

The notion that things persist through change is deeply embedded in ideas we have about explanation, and in particular, in the idea that the present is constrained by the past.

Gist of Idea

The persistence of objects seems to be needed if the past is to explain the present

Source

Sally Haslanger (Persistence, Change and Explanation [1989], 1)

Book Ref

'Persistence: contemporary readings', ed/tr. Haslanger,S/|Kurtz,RM [MIT 2006], p.160

A Reaction

I take this to be both an important and an attractive idea. Deniers of persistence (4D-ists) will presumably have some ability to explain the present, but it is the idea of the present being 'constrained' by the past which is a challenge.

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

15275 'Dense' time raises doubts about continuous objects, so they need 'continuous' time [Harré/Madden]
9664 Endurance is the wrong account, because things change intrinsic properties like shape [Lewis]
9665 There are three responses to the problem that intrinsic shapes do not endure [Lewis]
12295 3-D says things are stretched in space but not in time, and entire at a time but not at a location [Fine,K]
12298 Genuine motion, rather than variation of position, requires the 'entire presence' of the object [Fine,K]
8271 An object 'endures' if it is always wholly present, and 'perdures' if different parts exist at different times [Lowe]
14727 Three-dimensionalists assert 'enduring', being wholly present at each moment, and deny 'temporal parts' [Sider]
14738 Some might say that its inconsistency with time travel is a reason to favour three-dimensionalism [Sider]
16192 Endurance theory can relate properties to times, or timed instantiations to properties [Hawley]
16196 Endurance is a sophisticated theory, covering properties, instantiation and time [Hawley]
13924 The persistence of objects seems to be needed if the past is to explain the present [Haslanger]
13930 Persistence makes change and its products intelligible [Haslanger]