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Single Idea 14614

[from 'The Tenseless Theory of Time' by J.J.C. Smart, in 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 2. Passage of Time / e. Tensed (A) series ]

Full Idea

The main objections to the A-theory are due to the metaphysical mysteriousness of the A-theory ideas of past, present and future, and also tenses, and to the greater plausibility of analyzing them as indexicals.

Gist of Idea

The past, present, future and tenses of A-theory are too weird, and should be analysed indexically

Source

J.J.C. Smart (The Tenseless Theory of Time [2008], 3)

Book Reference

'Contemporary Debates in Metaphysics', ed/tr. Sider/Hawthorne/Zimmerman [Blackwell 2008], p.233


A Reaction

When it comes to time, every theory that has ever been though of is deeply weird, so the basic objection doesn't bother me. Analysing as indexicals just seems to be a technical way of denying reality to the present.