Tense And Temporal Semantics

Author: Mozersky J.M.

Source: Synthese, Volume 124, Number 2, August 2000 , pp. 257-279(23)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Tenseless theories of time entail that earlier than, later than and simultaneous with (i.e., McTaggart's `B-series') are the only temporal properties exemplified by events. Such theories often come under attack for being unable to satisfactorily account for tensed language. In this essay I argue that tenseless theories of time are capable of two feats that critics, such as Quentin Smith, argue are beyond their grasp: (1) They can coherently explain the impossibility of translating all tensed sentences by tenseless counterparts; (2) They can account for certain obviously valid entailment relations between tensed sentence types. In analyzing tensed entailment relations tenselessly, I favor a date analysis of tensed language over a token-reflexive theory. The upshot is that tenseless theories of time are not undermined by the linguistic facts.

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Philosophy University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A1 Tel: (416) 531-7384 Fax: (416) 978-8703 E-mail: mozersky@chass.utoronto.ca

Publication date: 2000-08-01