DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Four-Dimensionalism

An Ontology of Persistence and Time

Theodore Sider author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:22nd May '03

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This paperback is available in another edition too:

Four-Dimensionalism cover

Winner of the 2003 American Philosophical Association Prize

Addressing the topics concerned with the metaphysics of time and identity over time, this book aims to defend the thesis that the material world is composed of temporal as well as spatial parts.Four-Dimensionalism defends the thesis that the material world is composed of temporal as well as spatial parts. This defense includes a novel account of persistence over time, new arguments in favour of the four-dimensional ontology, and responses to the challenges four-dimensionalism faces. Theodore Sider pays particular attention to the philosophy of time, including a strong series of arguments against presentism, the thesis that only the present is real. Arguments offered in favour of four-dimensionalism include novel arguments based on time travel, the debate beween spacetime substantivalists and relationalists, and vagueness. Also included is a comprehensive discussion of the paradoxes of coinciding material objects, and a novel resolution of those paradoxes based on temporal counterpart theory. In conclusion Sider replies to prominent objections to four-dimensionalism, including discussion of the problem of the rotating homogenous disk. Four Dimensionalism is an original and highly readable study of the metaphysics of time and identity.

For many years to come, this is sure to be the locus classicus with respect to which all those engaged with the literature on persistence must position themselves. * Kathrin Koslicki, Philosophical Review *
This is simply a superb book in metaphysics - handsomely written, cleverly argued, and exceedingly clear. * Hud Hudson, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
Sider does not deny that this four-dimensionalist conception of persisting things is counterintuitive. His claim is that, all things considered, it yields a more coherent ontology than any of its competitors. His defence of this claim is impressive: bold, clear, wide-ranging and fair-minded; it is the best of its kind on offer. * Barry Dainton, Times Literary Supplement *

  • Winner of Winner of the 2003 American Philosophical Association Prize.

ISBN: 9780199263523

Dimensions: 216mm x 138mm x 16mm

Weight: 364g

288 pages