Language and TimeThis book offers a defense of the tensed theory of time, a critique of the New Theory of Reference, and an argument that simultaneity is absolute. Although Smith rejects ordinary language philosophy, he shows how it is possible to argue from the nature of language to the nature of reality. Specifically, he argues that semantic properties of tensed sentences are best explained by the hypothesis that they ascribe to events temporal properties of futurity, presentness, or pastness and do not merely ascribe relations of earlier than or simultaneity. He criticizes the New Theory of Reference, which holds that "now" refers directly to a time and does not ascribe the property of presentness. Smith does not adopt the old or Fregean theory of reference but develops a third alternative, based on his detailed theory of de re and de dicto propositions and a theory of cognitive significance. He concludes the book with a lengthy critique of Einstein's theory of time. Smith offers a positive argument for absolute simultaneity based on his theory that all propositions exist in time. He shows how Einstein's relativist temporal concepts are reducible to a conjunction of absolutist temporal concepts and relativist nontemporal concepts of the observable behavior of light rays, rigid bodies, and the like. |
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A-expressions A-indexicals A-sentences A-token A. N. Prior absolutely simultaneous argue argument B-relation B-sentences Battle of Waterloo believe chapter cognitive significance complex copula D. H. Mellor date theory definite description detenser devoid of linguistic dicto direct reference entails example exemplifies exists express A-propositions fact false future tensed includes indexical inheres in John's J.J.C. Smart John is running John's running language logical identity logical subject logically equivalent means Mellor n-adic properties nontemporal noon occurs Philosophical physical events possess possible world predicates present tensed presentist presentness inheres proposition expressed propositional relation psychological refer to presentness reference frame relatively rules of usage semantic content sempiternality sense sentence-token syntactical T₁ T₂ temporal relations tensed sentences tensed theory tenseless date-sentences tenseless sentences tenseless theory tenseless truth conditions theory of A-sentences thesis thin referent Thursday tion token-reflexive sentences token-reflexive theory translation true truth conditions truth value truth vehicle universal metaphysical