Four-Dimensionalism by Theodore Sider

Four-Dimensionalism by Theodore Sider

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 *

Frederick J. Sider is Theodore Sider. Cornell University's Whiton Chair of Philosophy He earned his doctorate at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and has worked at New York University, the University of Rochester, Syracuse University, and Rutgers University. Riddles of Existence: A Guided Tour of Metaphysics (OUP, 2005), Four-Dimensionalism: An Ontology of Persistence and Time (OUP, 2001), and Logic for Philosophy (OUP, 2010) are among his works.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780199263523
ISBN 10	0199263523
Title	Four-Dimensionalism
Author	Theodore Sider
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Year published	2003-05-22
Number of pages	288
Prizes	Winner of Winner of the 2003 American Philosophical Association Prize.
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable