Presentism and the Micro-Structure of Time

Francesco Orilia

doi:10.13135/2385-1945/5176

Francesco Orilia University of Macerata

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13135/2385-1945/5176

Abstract

The standard account of the micro-structure of time is based on Cantor’s conception of continuity and thus views the time line as consisting of undenumerably many instants ordered by the B-theoretic earlier than relation. This may seem problematic for an A-theory of time such as presentism, according to which only what is present exists, for it seems to leave no room for the instants of a Cantorean time line. This paper defends a version of presentism that can accommodate the Cantorean conception and more generally any approach to the micro-structure of time based on durationless instants.

Author Biography

Francesco Orilia, University of Macerata

Francesco Orilia is professor of philosophy of language at the University of Macerata. His research interests mainly concern the philosophy of language, of logic and mind and analytic metaphysics. At the moment he is national coordinator of the project PRIN 2017 The manifest and the scientific image.