Philosophy of Time: The Basics

What is time? Does it pass? Is the future open? Why do we care? Philosophy of Time: The Basics doesn’t answer these questions. It does give you an opinionated introduction to thinking a bit more deeply about them. Written in a way that assumes no philosophical background from its readers, this book looks at central topics in philosophy of time and shows how they relate to other time-related topics -- from theoretical physics (without the maths!) to your own mortality. Additional questions include:In what way is time different to space?How long is the present?Does the Theory of Relativity show time doesn’t pass?What makes time have a direction or ‘arrow’?Can you be harmed by your own death?Allowing the reader to think more deeply about time, this book begins to untangle some of the most difficult knots in all of philosophy. It also provides practical advice to prospective time-travelers.Key Features:Covers three themes: the passage of time, the differences between past and future, and some philosophical problems of living in timeAttempts to unify a scientific account of time with our lived experience of itWritten clearly and concisely for readers with no background in philosophyLimits technical language, explaining an important term when it is first used and offering a Glossary for all terms at the back of the book