more from Sextus Empiricus

Single Idea 22749

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 2. Passage of Time / c. Tenses and time]

Full Idea

It is absurd to say that when the Universe is destroyed time does not exist; for the statement that it was destroyed once and that it is being destroyed are indicative of times.

Gist of Idea

Time doesn't end with the Universe, because tensed statements about destruction remain true

Source

Sextus Empiricus (Against the Physicists (two books) [c.180], II.188)

Book Reference

Sextus Empiricus: 'Against the Physicists/Against the Ethicists', ed/tr. Bury,R.G. [Harvard Loeb 1997], p.305


A Reaction

Intriguing. He takes it that a proposition can be true even though nothing exists. This is not merely an affirmation of the tensed A-series view of time, but he even offers tenses as evidence that the A-series is correct. That time could cease was a view.