Single Idea 12838

[catalogued under 7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 1. Nature of Change]

Full Idea

In the four-dimensional ontology there may be timeless variation, but there is no change. Change consists in an object having first one property and then another contrary one. But processes all have their properties timelessly.

Gist of Idea

Four-dimensional ontology has no change, since that needs an object, and time to pass

Source

Peter Simons (Parts [1987], 3.4)

Book Reference

Simons,Peter: 'Parts: a Study in Ontology' [OUP 1987], p.126


A Reaction

Possibly Simons is begging the question here. The phenomena which are traditionally labelled as 'change' are all nicely covered in the four-D account. Change is, we might say, subsumed in the shape of the space-time 'worm'.