Time, Change and Freedom: An Introduction to Metaphysics [Paperback]

L. Nathan Oaklander (Author), Quentin Smith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415102499 | ISBN-13: 978-0415102490 | Publication Date: August 18, 1995 | Edition: 1

This is the first introduction to metaphysics which is tied together by the idea of time. Time, Change and Freedom explores ideas such as whether there was a beginning of time and the possibility of an infinite past and an eternal future. It looks at what happens when things change, and what affect that has on us and our personal identity. The book also asks if we can be free and what is the relationship of human freedom to various theories of divine foreknowledge and determinism? The final part of the book brings students right up to date with theories of relativity and contemporary cosmology about time and the universe. Sections in Time, Change and Freedom cover: The Problem of Change God, Time and Freedom Relational and Substantival Theories of Time Tenseless Time Written in an engaging dialogue form, this book will explain the key themes of contemporary metaphysics, and at the same time the philosophy of time, to the beginner. It will be invaluable for all students on introductory philosophy courses, and for students interested in the philosophy of time and metaphysics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book has well thought out aims: chapters are short (mostly 10-15 pages) and focused; they contain useful study questions; they have up-to-date, comprehensive bibliographies; they are written as dialogues, which give students models of (analytic) philosophy in action; the dialogues also avoid closing issues, encouraging students to continue them. Nick Huggett, University of Illinois at Chicago.

About the Author

L. Nathan Oaklander is Professor of Philosophy and Chair at the University of Michigan, Flint. Quentin Smith is Professor of Philosophy and University Distinguished Faculty Scholar at Western Michigan University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (August 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415102499
• ISBN-13: 978-0415102490
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,219,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly readable intro to fate, time, change, agency, January 14, 2002

By 

Michael Hoffman (Egodeath.com) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Time, Change and Freedom: An Introduction to Metaphysics (Paperback)

Chapters cover the beginning of time; relational & substantival theories of time; tenseless time; identity of the agent seemingly travelling through time; fatalism; God, foreknowledge, time & freedom; determinism & responsibility; and spacetime models. Very readable and insightful. The authors are leading-edge philosophers. Recommended for all readers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packs a whallop, April 28, 2002

By 

Maxwell Goss - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Time, Change and Freedom: An Introduction to Metaphysics (Paperback)

This book has two main virtues, in my opinion. First, it organizes its treatment of a wide variety of issues around a single theme, the philosophy of time. This subject is of perennial interest to philosophers, of course, and the authors highlight the many ways it intersects with the other great metaphysical questions, such as personal identity, free will, and God. Second, it packs a lot of information into a very small space. It contains dense, but lucid, discussions of the A-series and B-series, relational and substantival theories of time, countable and uncountable infinities, endurantism and perdurantism, and the Special and General Theories of Relativity.

I think this book will be somewhat difficult for the introductory reader, but I suppose that comes with the territory. Metaphysics is just hard! The dialogue format does little to alleviate this; in fact, the dialogues are often stilted and sometimes distracting. However, the advantage of this format is that it allows the authors to discuss the various sides of each issue without telling the reader which side to accept. There is a lot of metaphysics in this book, explained clearly and directly. Read it through or keep it on hand as a reference. Either way, I think a careful study of it (especially Part I) will pay off.