Description: Is there such a thing as the passage of time? If so in what does it consist? What arguments are there in favor or, or against, the thesis that time passes? This mix between a seminar, workshop, and reading group will address these questions by working through the manuscript of my book Objective Becoming, as well as by reading some allied papers on the passage of time.
Note: "OB" refers to the book manuscript.
Note: all readings are optional.
All meetings will take place in the 9th floor common room. Meetings occur at 1pm unless otherwise noted.
June 12: The Block Universe Theory and Presentism.
OB, chs. 1 and 2.
Prior, Changes in Events and Changes in Things.
Handout 1.
June 19: Presentism, continued; The Moving Spotlight Theory.
OB, ch. 3
Handout 2.
Guest philosopher: Brad Weslake.
June 25 (Tuesday!): McTaggart against Time.
OB, ch. 4
McTaggart, The Unreality of Time.
Handout 3.
July 1 (Monday *3pm*): How Fast Does Time Pass?
OB, ch. 6
Markosian, How Fast Does Time Pass?
Guest Philosopher: Chris Heathwood.
August 7: Time as Supertime; Thank Goodness That's Over.
OB, ch. 3.3; ch. 11.4, 11.5.
August 14: Passage and Experience, I.
OB, ch. 11.
August 26 (Monday): Passage and Experience, II; Time Travel and the Passage of Time.
Ob, ch. 11, continued.
Guest Philosophers: Ned Markosian, Shamik Dasgupta.