Eternalism, hybrid models and strong change

Elton Marques

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

My main purpose in this paper is to argue that eternalism in the block universe conception is compatible with change, in a specific sense. After introducing some restrictions and relinquishing some aspects of eternalistic models (such as, for instance, the Parmenidean character sometimes associated with them), we will be able to preserve everything that is relevant to that end. The chance to introduce such restrictions will occur in the context of a possible answer to Niall Shanks (1994), who argues that the classical block universe is incompatible with free will. After rejecting the author’s arguments, we will introduce hybrid models, which, despite being eternalistic, can accommodate the passage of time and what we call “strong change”. The original contribution of this paper is, mostly, to bring to light the conditions in which a strong change can be introduced in an eternalistic model, and presenting what is gained and what is lost with such a move.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe metaphysics of time
Subtitle of host publicationthemes from prior
EditorsPer Hasle, Patrick Blackburn, Peter Øhrstrøm
PublisherAalborg University Press
Pages329-342
Number of pages14
Volume4
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9788772107240
ISBN (Print)9788772107240
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameLogic and Philosophy of Time
PublisherAalborg University Press
Volume4

Keywords

  • Eternalism
  • Parmenidean world
  • Change
  • Free-will
  • Hybrid models

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