The Nature of Time - PHI00127H
Module summary
In this module, we examine some important and connected questions about the nature of time and consider a range of views about the metaphysics of time.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2025-26 |
Module aims
- To explore some central ongoing debates about the nature of time
- To develop some key skills and abilities:
- Understanding challenging philosophical puzzles, views, and arguments
- Discussing complex and difficult conceptual problems with others
- Evaluating views and arguments
- Arriving at your own view on a question—based on and informed by a good understanding of contributions to the debate—and then assembling a reasoned case for that view
- Undertaking independent research reading
- Finding your way through a range of connected debates, grasping connections between them
Module learning outcomes
On completing the module successfully, a student should:
- Understand some key puzzles, problems, and theories in the philosophy of time and be able to explain those in clear and precise terms
- Be able to develop and articulate the arguments for and against particular key theories in the philosophy of time
- Be able to make a measured judgement about which are the most plausible theories based on a careful consideration of the arguments, and make a sustained case for that judgement
- Be able to read and critically engage with contemporary work on the philosophy of time
- Have further developed their skills in philosophical discussion and writing
Module content
In this module, we examine some important and connected questions about the nature of time and consider a range of views about the metaphysics of time. Here are some of the questions that we address: Is time real? Can there be time without change? Does time really pass or flow? Do objects persist through changes (and, if so, how)? What is the nature of temporal reality? When examining this final question, we turn to a critical examination of views about the existence of past and future objects and events, e.g., Eternalism (in slogan form: ‘past, present, and future entities exist’), Presentism (slogan: ‘only present entities exist’), and the Growing Block Theory of time (slogan: ‘only past and present entities exist’), amongst others.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
All formative and summative feedback will be returned in accordance with University and Departmental policy.
Students can also get further, verbal feedback on their formative and summative assessments by visiting the tutor’s office hour or by appointment.
Indicative reading
Effingham, Nikk & Miller, Kristie (2023) Does Tomorrow Exist? Routledge.
McTaggart, J. E. (1908): ‘The Unreality of Time’. Mind, 17, pp. 457–74.
Miller, Kristie (2013): ‘Presentism, Eternalism, and the Growing Block’. In Heather Dyke and Adrian Bardon (eds.), A Companion to the Philosophy of Time. Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 345–64.