Introducing Presentism

The Philosophy of Time: Presentism

In this course, Dr David Ingram (University of York) explores the philosophy of time, focusing in particular on the theory of Presentism. We begin by providing a broad introduction to Presentism and comparing and contrasting it with two other major theories of time – Eternalism and the Growing Block Theory. In the second module, we think about some potential problems in the central claim of Presentism – namely, that only present entities exist. What does the word ‘exist’ mean in this context? In the third and fourth modules, we offer two arguments why Presentism should be preferred to other theories of time, focusing first on how Presentism avoids the problems raised by McTaggart’s Paradox, and second on how it avoids the problems raised by temporary intrinsics. Finally, in the fifth and sixth modules, we offer two issues that present problems for Presentism: first, the problem of relations between present and non-present entities, and second, the problem of truths about the past.

Introducing Presentism

In this module, we provide a broad introduction to Presentism, focusing in particular on its two central claims, and contrasting it with two other major theories of time: Eternalism and the Growing Block Theory.