Single Idea 22937

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 2. Passage of Time / k. Temporal truths]

Full Idea

If any number of pasts are compatible with the present state of affairs, and it is only the present state of affairs which can make true or false statements about the past, then no statement about the past is either true or false.

Gist of Idea

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

Source

Robin Le Poidevin (Travels in Four Dimensions [2003], 08 'First')

Book Reference

Le Poidevin,Robin: 'Travels in Four Dimensions' [OUP 2003], p.138


A Reaction

He suggests an explosion which could have had innumerable different causes. The explosion could have had different origins, but not sure that the whole of present reality could. Presentists certainly have problems with truthmakers for the past.