A Brief History of the Philosophy of Time

by Adrian Bardon

Overview

This thoroughly revised and updated edition of Adrian Bardon's A Brief History of the Philosophy of Time is a short introduction to the history, philosophy, and science of the study of time—from the pre-Socratic philosophers through Einstein and beyond.
Bardon covers subjects such as time and change, the experience of time, physical and metaphysical approaches to the nature of time, the direction of time, time travel, time and freedom of the will, and scientific and philosophical approaches to cosmology and the beginning of time. He employs helpful illustrations and keeps technical language to a minimum in bringing the resources of over 2500 years of philosophy and science to bear on some of humanity's most fundamental and enduring questions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780197684108
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Pages:	232
Sales rank:	470,542
Product dimensions:	8.27(w) x 5.58(h) x 0.54(d)

About the Author

Adrian Bardon is Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University, where he teaches courses on the philosophy of time and the history of philosophy. He is the author of The Truth About Denial: Bias and Self-Deception in Science, Politics, and Religion (Oxford University Press, 2020). He is the editor of The Future of the Philosophy of Time (Routledge, 2012), co-editor of A Companion to the Philosophy of Time (Wiley-Blackwell, 2013), and co-editor of The Illusions of Time: Philosophical and Psychological Essays on Timing and Time Perception (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: What Does It Mean to Ask, “What Is Time?”
1. Time and Change
2. Idealism and Experience
3. Time and Spacetime
4. Does Time Pass?
5. The Persistent Projection of Passage
6. The Arrow of Time
7. Is Time Travel Possible?
8. Time and Freedom
9. The Beginning of Time
Epilogue: Is “What Is Time?” The Wrong Question?

Suggestions For Further Reading
Index

Editorial Reviews

Bardon's A Brief History of the Philosophy of Time provides an engaging, clear, and succinct introduction to the philosophy of time. It is ideal as an introduction to the topic for undergraduates or, used in conjunction with sources it cites, in a more advanced class for postgraduates... Bardon consistently presents conceptually difficult ideas within philosophy and physics in a way that is accessible to undergraduate students. A particularly nice feature of Bardon's text is its integration of history with contemporary debates... I highly recommend this book as a text to introduce students to the central issues in the philosophy of time."
—The Philosophical Quarterly

"Adrian Bardon manages to cover a truly impressive array of issues in the philosophy of time ranging from an overview of some of the historical precursors of current ideas to a discussion of the most recent developments in the area…. Bardon does an excellent job of making the issues thoroughly accessible whilst at the same time not shying away from the interesting and more difficult questions. Because he manages to walk this tightrope so well, the book would make an excellent resource for undergraduates, but would be equally at home in the bag of a graduate student."—Kristie Miller, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"The book is a real winner. It's accessible, lively and packed with good philosophy. More than that, despite being introductory, it really is on the cutting edge of philosophy of time."—Craig Callender, University of California, San Diego, and editor of the Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Time and author of Introducing Time

"Bardon has written a superb little book on the philosophy of time. Though this book is, as tits title states, a brief history, it is packed with marvelously lucid explanations of the central problems and issues relevant to the subject, including philosophy, physics, and phenomenology. Highly recommended." -L.B. McHenry, California State University - Northridge, CHOICE

"Adrian Bardon's A Brief History of the Philosophy of Time provides a quick and clear introduction to the philosophy of time, along with accessible outlines of relevant topics from general philosophy, the philosophy of physics, and the philosophy of mind, each chapters preceded by a well-designed summary...the comprehensiveness, clarity, and agility of this book are remarkable. Adrian Bardon, who specializes on the philosophy of space and time, has produced a valuable resource for students of time and science teachers." — Science and Education

"...the comprehensiveness, clarity, and agility of this book are remarkable. Adrian Bardon, who specializes on the philosophy of space and time, has produced a valuable resource for students of time and science teachers." — Science and Education

From the Publisher