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Single Idea 2608

[from 'The Nature of Existence vol.2' by J.M.E. McTaggart, in 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / b. Relative time ]

Full Idea

McTaggart says we can speak of events in time in two ways, as past, present or future, or as being before or after or simultaneous with one another. The first cannot be reduced to the second, as the second makes no provision for the passage of time.

Gist of Idea

For McTaggart time is seen either as fixed, or as relative to events

Source

report of J.M.E. McTaggart (The Nature of Existence vol.2 [1927], II.329-) by A.J. Ayer - The Central Questions of Philosophy 1.D

Book Reference

Ayer,A.J.: 'The Central Questions of Philosophy' [Penguin 1976], p.15