University Calendar

Oct 25 - Time and Change

Time the all-destroyer, the all-devourer. Nothing we have, nothing we build, nothing we do and no one we love will endure, but will rather change, decay and ultimately perish at the hand of time. We are in a constant battle with time. We want to buy time, use time, make time. But what is time? St. Augustine famously said of time, “I know well enough what it is, provided that nobody asks me; but if I am asked what it is and try to explain, I am baffled.” At this P4L we will examine two arguments on time and change. The first, from the British philosopher John McTaggart, agues that time and change are so closely aligned that time cannot be made sense of, and must be considered an illusion. The second, from 20th century philosopher Sydney Shoemaker, uses a science fiction thought experiment to argue that time is a scientific inference like any other, and can be decoupled from change. We will attempt to explore the commitments, paradoxes and human significance of these arguments before our time—is up.

—Special Guest: Greg Bartels (New School for Social Research)

When?  
11:45 AM–12:45 PM

Where?  
Schmitt Hall, Room 104

What is P4L?
Students and professors close-read and discuss a few great passages of philosophy.

Who's invited?
No preparation or previous knowledge of philosophy is needed. Everyone is welcome!

Should I bring anything?
Bring a beverage, and if you're hungry, bring your actual lunch.

Brought to you by the Department of Philosophy at Montclair State University.

Image: Duchamp