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Single Idea 14019

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / B. Modern Physics / 1. Relativity / a. Special relativity]

Full Idea

Special Relativity denies absolute simultaneity, and therefore requires a past and a future, as well as a present. The Presentist, however, only requires the present.

Gist of Idea

Relativity denies simultaneity, so it needs past, present and future (unlike Presentism)

Source

Craig Bourne (A Future for Presentism [2006], 6.VII)

Book Reference

Bourne,Craig: 'A Future for Presentism' [OUP 2006], p.183


A Reaction

It is nice to accuse Relativity of ontological extravagence. When it 'requires' past and future, that may not be a massive commitment, since the whole theory is fairly operationalist, according to Putnam.

Related Ideas

Idea 13993 Special Relativity denies the absolute present which Presentism needs [Markosian]

Idea 7621 Special relativity, unlike general relativity, was operationalist in spirit [Putnam on Einstein]