L. Nathan Oaklander

Ronald C. Hoy

Classic and Contemporary Readings

Metaphysics

Erwin Tegtmeier

Emiliano Boccardi

The main debates in the philosophy of time have centred on whether A-theory, with events ordered by pastness, presentness and futurity, or B-theory, ordered by earlier than or later than, are equally fundamental. Emiliano Boccardi, L. Nathan Oaklander and Erwin Tegtmeier instead uphold the Russellian theory, or R-theory, and consider not only the fundamental differences but also its superiority. They argue McTaggart's misinterpretation of Russell has led to a false dichotomy between the A- and B-theories, while exploring the connection between temporal relations, temporal facts and time. In defence of the R-theory, they argue how it offers a metaphysical explanation of the nature of time, in addition to investigating whether ontological theories of time can be considered from a moral or existential point of view. Using an ontological approach, this volume clarifies what is mistaken about both theories can only be resolved by adopting a Russellian philosophy, reaching beyond the A-theory vs B-theory debate.

Metaphysical and Ontological Investigations

New Directions in the Russellian Theory of Time

A core topic in metaphysics, time is also central to issues in the philosophy of science, the philosophy of mind and the philosophy of religion. Debates in the Metaphysics of Time explores these close philosophical connections and tackles the contemporary debates using an interactive approach. Contributors put forward their views before commenting on the ideas of other contributors and defending against objections. Divided into 'metaphysics and time', 'consciousness and time' and 'God, time and human freedom', chapters are organized around key questions, including: • How are we to understand the passage of time, or the 'change' an event seems to undergo when it moves from the future to the present and then recedes into the more and more distant past? • Can we only be directly aware of what is momentary if we directly experience change and duration? • How is God related to time and is divine foreknowledge and human freedom compatible? For students and researchers looking to understand the latest arguments in the philosophy of time, Debates in the Metaphysics of Time provides an original, up-to-date and accessible account of past, present and future debates.

Debates in the Metaphysics of Time

Quentin Smith

University Distinguished Faculty Scholar and Professor of Philosophy Quentin Smith

First published in 1995. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

An Introduction to Metaphysics

Time, Change and Freedom

Suitable for undergraduate courses in Existentialism, Late 19th Century Thought, Philosophy of Religion, and Introduction to Philosophy. Introducing students to existentialist philosophy through the writings of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, De Beauvoir and others, this unique anthology includes long selections from a relatively small number of existentialist thinkers -- exploring each philosopher's views in great detail, and prefacing the essays with insightful introductions to help clarify material and aid in student comprehension.

An Introduction

Existentialist Philosophy

One of the most acclaimed introductions to Metaphysics in recent history, Hoy and Oaklander's METAPHYSICS: CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY READINGS--now, by popular demand, in a second edition--continues to provide teachers and students with a balanced approach of both classic and contemporary voices. Using time as a unifying theme and constantly examining the interplay between scientific development and philosophical thinking, METAPHYSICS presents readings that have been especially chosen for their accessibility to undergraduates and provides them with exceptionally deep coverage of a crucial set of metaphysical topics.

L. Nathan Oaklander

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