The Metaphysics of Time

Seventh in the New Dialogues in Philosophy series, this book discusses the concept of time and shows in the simplest ways how time informs discussions about causality, creation, physics, consciousness of time, and much more. Creating a series of conversations between two fictional characters, Bradley Dowden uses the characters to explore nine metaphysical issues involving time. Through the dialogue between his two protagonists, Dowden offers well-known arguments in the field of metaphysics for positions on such topics as the finite nature of time, absolute versus relational time, and Zeno's paradoxes of motion. The book draws on the theories of numerous philosophers, including Aristotle, Quine, Chrysippus, St. Augustine, Earman, Van Fraassen, Liebniz, and Hawking.