The Nature of Time

The theory of relativity convinced many philosophers that space and time are fundamentally alike, and that they are mere aspects of a more fundamental space-time. Ulrich Meyer argues against this consensus view. Instead of a 'spatial' account of time that treats instants like positions in space, he presents the first comprehensive defense of a 'modal' account that emphasizes the similarities between times and the possible worlds in modal logic. Contrary to popularbelief, such an account does not commit us to the view that there is something metaphysically special about the present moment, and is easily reconciled with the theory of relativity.