Ideas from 'Travels in Four Dimensions' by Robin Le Poidevin [2003], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Travels in Four Dimensions' by Le Poidevin,Robin [OUP 2003,0-19-875255-5]].

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7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / d. Non-being

22919

A thing which makes no difference seems unlikely to exist

14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / a. Types of explanation

22926

In addition to causal explanations, they can also be inferential, or definitional, or purposive

19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 9. Indexical Semantics

22932

We don't just describe a time as 'now' from a private viewpoint, but as a fact about the world

26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 1. Causation

22927

The logical properties of causation are asymmetry, transitivity and irreflexivity

27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 3. Points in Space

22922

We can identify unoccupied points in space, so they must exist

22924

If spatial points exist, then they must be stationary, by definition

27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 4. Substantival Space

22923

Absolute space explains actual and potential positions, and geometrical truths

27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 5. Relational Space

22928

For relationists moving an object beyond the edge of space creates new space

27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 6. Space-Time

22931

We distinguish time from space, because it passes, and it has a unique present moment

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / e. Eventless time

22917

Since nothing occurs in a temporal vacuum, there is no way to measure its length

22921

Temporal vacuums would be unexperienced, unmeasured, and unending

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 2. Passage of Time / b. Rate of time

22934

Time can't speed up or slow down, so it doesn't seem to be a 'process'

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 2. Passage of Time / f. Tenseless (B) series

22938

To say that the past causes the present needs them both to be equally real

22939

The B-series doesn't seem to allow change

22940

If the B-universe is eternal, why am I trapped in a changing moment of it?

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 2. Passage of Time / g. Time's arrow

22947

An ordered series can be undirected, but time favours moving from earlier to later

22952

If time's arrow is causal, how can there be non-simultaneous events that are causally unconnected?

22953

Time's arrow is not causal if there is no temporal gap between cause and effect

22951

If time's arrow is psychological then different minds can impose different orders on events

22948

There are Thermodynamic, Psychological and Causal arrows of time

22949

Presumably if time's arrow is thermodynamic then time ends when entropy is complete

22950

If time is thermodynamic then entropy is necessary - but the theory says it is probable

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 2. Passage of Time / i. Time and motion

22943

Instantaneous motion is an intrinsic disposition to be elsewhere

22945

The dynamic view of motion says it is primitive, and not reducible to objects, properties and times

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 2. Passage of Time / k. Temporal truths

22937

If the present could have diverse pasts, then past truths can't have present truthmakers

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 3. Parts of Time / a. Beginning of time

22925

The present is the past/future boundary, so the first moment of time was not present

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 3. Parts of Time / c. Intervals

22944

The primitive parts of time are intervals, not instants

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 3. Parts of Time / e. Present moment

22942

If time is infinitely divisible, then the present must be infinitely short

27. Natural Reality / E. Cosmology / 10. Multiverse

22946

The multiverse is distinct time-series, as well as spaces

28. God / A. Divine Nature / 5. God and Time

22941

How could a timeless God know what time it is? So could God be both timeless and omniscient?