1. Time A-Theory and B-Theory

2. The A-series and the B-series The B-series is the series of all events ordered in terms of temporal relations like earlier than, simultaneous with and later than. The A-series is the series of all events ordered in terms of temporal properties like being past, being present and being future. B-properties are permanent temporal relations like earlier than. A-properties are temporary temporal properties like being past.

3. The A-Theory and the B-Theory The A-Theory: (i) There are genuine A- properties and (ii) the passage of time consists of each time’s successive possession of different A-properties. The B-Theory: (i) There are no genuine A- properties and (ii) time does not really pass.

4. The A-Theory and the B-Theory W e are naturally tempted to regard the history of the world as existing eternally in a certain order of events. Along this, and in a fixed direction, we imagine the characteristic of presentness as moving, somewhat like the spot of light from a policeman’s bull’s-eye traversing the fronts of the houses in a street. What is illuminated is the present, what has been illuminated is the past, and what has not yet been illuminated is the future. -C.D. Broad, Scientific Thought

5. The A-Theory and the B-Theory The Tenseless View of Semantics: (i) The verbal tenses of ordinary language (expressions like ‘it is the case that’, ‘it was the case that’, and ‘it will be the case that’) can be eliminated through appropriate use of expressions like ‘simultaneous with’, ‘earlier than’, and ‘later than’. (ii) Propositions have truth values simpliciter rather than having truth values at times.

6. The A-Theory and the B-Theory The Tensed View of Semantics: (i) The verbal tenses of ordinary language (expressions like ‘it is the case that’, ‘it was the case that’, and ‘it will be the case that’) must be taken as primitive and unanalyzable. (ii) Propositions have truth values at times rather than just having truth values simpliciter.

7. McTaggart’s Argument Against the A-Series 1) If the A-series is real, then every event is past, present, and future. 2) Pastness, presentness and futurity are incompatible properties. 3) If (2), it’s not the case that every event is past, present, and future. 4) [So] The A-series is not real.

8. McTaggart’s Argument Against the A-Series Objection: It’s not the case that the lecture is past, present and future; rather it will be past, it is present and it was future. Being present entails Not being past It doesn’t entail Not having been past Reply: The regress worry X will be past = X is past at some future time. X is present = X is present at the present time. X was future = X is future at some past time.

9. McTaggart’s Argument Against the Reality of Time 1) The A-series is not real. 2) If the A-series is not real, then change is not real. 3) If change is not real, then there is no time. 4) [So] Time is not real.