Problems of the Dynamic View

Question 1

Tenseless truth conditions for tensed statements are obviously the right ones (Mellor) (3)

Answer 1

1) Dv - now means absolute present moment - statement it is now 2020 is true when absolute present moment is 2020. 2) Problem - false statements in past now right - it is now 2020 is true even if uttered in 2019 as it is now 2020. Also makes tensed beliefs false that had in past - this morning on way to vic street false cus no longer walking to vic street. 3) better to say - now 2020 is true if uttured during 2020 - tensed statement is true due to when claim is made - not location of absolute present

Question 2

Why does time always pass at a constant rate and why does it never skip over any times? (3)

Answer 2

DV - unable tp state why time moves at rate it does. Can’t say why Christmas will be in two weeks as oppose to 3 days when it is two weeks away. Time it takes for an interval to pass is indepedent of the length of the interval. 2) Sv - be xmas in 2 weeks because this time of utterance is 2 weeks before xmas. 3) Fmore why can’t skip over periods being present - sv - each event is present while it is going on. Dv - cant rule out skipped periods.

Question 3

What property could presentness be? (5)

Answer 3

Dv - property of absolute presentness - sometimes have and others lack. What makes 2020 different to other years? 2) Sv - 2020 is present due to being place of utterance now. 3) Growing block theorists - world constantly being added to with new ideas and facts - edge of block is presentness/ 4) Problem - no predictions were true when made them. 5) Problem with ‘now’ - saying that present time is succceded by nothing cannot help explain meaning of now - not how we use it.