Relational Passage of Time

Front matter

Routledge Studies in Metaphysics

RELATIONAL PASSAGE OF TIME

Matias Slavov

PART II Answering objections 2 3 4 5 6

Relational passage is neither trivial nor question-begging Passage is directed

Final thoughts

Bibliography Index

55 67 85 98 109 119

121 134

Figures

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

2.1

3.1

5.1

Equal and unequal temporal intervals. In (a), they are absolutely equal, and in (b), they are absolutely unequal. In both (a) and (b), the spatial distances between snapshots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are all the same

A particle moves clockwise on the left side with velocity +v. A mirror image shows a reversed velocity -v of counterclockwise motion, as depicted on the right. Reversing velocity does not change the direction of time Relativity of simultaneity according to a spacetime diagram. I have drawn this image based on Peterson and Silberstein (2010: 214)

Relativity of simultaneity according to a spacetime diagram (axis t, added). I have drawn this image based on Peterson and Silberstein (2010: 214)

The Alexandroff present. In Savitt’s (2009: 357) own words: “ALEX (e,, e,) is the present for the interval from e, to e, along A”

B-coming from three different temporal perspectives. At t,, all that lies on A is what has become at a. t, describes the situation from b's point of view, the change in what has become at b. t; describes the situation from c's point of view, the change in what has become at c

Three spacetime trajectories. I have drawn this diagram based on Holster (2021)

Temporal asymmetry between affecting and perceiving. We can affect things before they occur and perceive them after they happen. We cannot perceive things before they happen or affect them after they have occurred

The two events are simultaneous in IF. I have drawn this image; a similar version has been printed previously in Slavov (2018: 236)

5.2

5.3

6.1

6.2

Figures

The two events are apparently simultaneous in IF’. I have drawn this image; a similar version has been printed previously in Slavov (2018: 237)

The railroad track looks to be getting narrower although it is straight. Photo by Martin Winkler: https://pixabay. com/photos/railway-rocks-sunset-sun-sunlight-1555348/ The position of an object in Cartesian three-dimensional space at t, t,, and t,. I have drawn this image; it has not been printed before elsewhere

The parts of an object in Minkowski spacetime at t, t, and 4. I have drawn this image; it has not been printed before elsewhere vii

Tables

6.1 Differences between things and events

Abbreviations

I have abbreviated and I cite the following classics according to standard practices:

first Critique (KdRV)—Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant Discourse—Discours de la méthode by René Descartes

Principia—Principia. Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy by Isaac Newton

Treatise (THN)—A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume