Time and SpaceThese are just some of the fundamental questions addressed in Time and Space. Writing for a primary readership of advanced undergraduate and graduate philosophy students, Barry Dainton introduces the central ideas and arguments that make space and time such philosophically challenging topics. Although recognising that many issues in the philosophy of time and space involve technical features of physics, Dainton has been careful to keep the conceptual issues accessible to students with little scientific or mathematical training. Surveying historical debates and ideas at the forefront of contemporary thinking, the book is unrivaled in its coverage. Topics include McTaggart's argument for the unreality of change; static, tensed, and dynamic time; time travel and causal arrows; space as void, motion, and curved spac; as well as a non-technical introduction to the special theory of relativity and the key features of general relativity, spacetime, and strings. Dainton also addresses the relationship between the philosophy of time and broader human concerns involving actions, ethics, fatalism, and death. |
What people are saying - Write a review
Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified
User Review - Flag as inappropriate
Interesting exercise regarding space-concepts. Our human consciousness appears to hold at most 4 concepts at a time. Try the exercise: holding on to 4 different concepts in your mind, then try grasping an additional concept; one of the original concepts randomly pops-out of your awareness.
Contents
McTaggart on times unreality | 13 |
Static time | 27 |
Asymmetries within time | 44 |
Tensed time | 63 |
Time and consciousness | 93 |
Time travel | 110 |
Conceptions of void | 132 |
the classical debate | 151 |
Spatial antirealism | 232 |
Special relativity | 254 |
Relativity and reality | 269 |
General relativity | 284 |
Spacetime metaphysics | 301 |
Strings | 320 |
Notes | 335 |
Glossary | 349 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
acceleration acts actual appear applies argument assume becoming believe block bodies causal causes claim conception concerned connection consequences consider consists contains contents continuous curvature curved depend determined dimension direction distance distinction dynamic earlier effects entirely entities example exist experience explain extended fact Figure force frame further future geometry given gravity happen hence hole idea inertial intrinsic later laws least light locations look material matter means measure motion moving nature Newton Newtonian objects observable occur particles past paths physical points position possess possible present principle problem properties quantum quantum mechanics question reality reason reference region relationist relations relative remains respect result rotating seems sense simply simultaneity sort space spacetime spatial special relativity speed static straight structure substantival substantivalist succession suppose surface temporal theory things true universe
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | Time and Space Time and Space, Barry Dainton |
| Author | Barry Dainton |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP, 2001 |
| ISBN | 0773523065, 9780773523067 |
| Length | 386 pages |
| Subjects | › Philosophy / Metaphysics |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |