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Single Idea 14722

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

Full Idea

Intermediate between the polar opposites of presentism and eternalism is the view (defended by Broad 1923 and Tooley 1997) that the past is real but the future is not. Reality consists of a growing four-dimensional manifold, the 'growing block universe'.

Gist of Idea

Between presentism and eternalism is the 'growing block' view - the past is real, the future is not

Source

Theodore Sider (Four Dimensionalism [2001], 2.1)

Book Ref

Sider,Theodore: 'Four Dimensionalism' [OUP 2003], p.12

A Reaction

The obvious and plausible basis for this is that statements about the past seem to have truthmakers, but statements about the future lack them. Does a truth always require ontological commitment? Death is cessation of existence.

The 12 ideas with the same theme [past and present exist, but the future does not]:

1702 Things may be necessary once they occur, but not be unconditionally necessary [Aristotle]
5980 How can ten days ahead be a short time, if it doesn't exist? [Augustine]
8160 The present and past exist, but the future does not [Broad, by Dummett]
14609 We could say present and past exist, but not future, so that each event adds to the total history [Broad]
9666 It is quite implausible that the future is unreal, as that would terminate everything [Lewis]
15195 If the future is not real, we don't seem to have any obligation to future individuals [Le Poidevin]
14722 Between presentism and eternalism is the 'growing block' view - the past is real, the future is not [Sider]
17961 Growing block has a subjective present and a growing edge - but these could come apart [Merricks, by PG]
14610 Neither 'moving spotlight' nor 'growing block' views explain why we care what is present or past [Zimmerman,DW]
14015 No-Futurists believe in past and present, but not future, and say the world grows as facts increase [Bourne]
22991 How can we know this is the present moment, if other times are real? [Baron/Miller]
22992 If we are actually in the past then we shouldn't experience time passing [Baron/Miller]