Existential dread and the B-theory of time

被引:0
作者
Banfi, Luca [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Coll Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
关键词
Existential dread; B-theory of time; Emotion; Metaphysics; Time; Ceasing to exist; EMOTIONS; TRUTH;
D O I
10.1007/s11229-021-03439-3
中图分类号
N09 [自然科学史]; B [哲学、宗教];
学科分类号
01 ; 0101 ; 010108 ; 060207 ; 060305 ; 0712 ;
摘要
In this paper I describe a specific emotional reaction to the fact that we will cease to exist, namely existential dread, and I argue that the B-theory of time, according to which reality contains a four-dimensional spacetime manifold and the present time is metaphysically on a par with past and future times, cannot accommodate it. Some may see this as an advantage of the B-theory; some may see it as a problem for the view. My aim is not to argue either for or against the B-theory, but merely to show that it is incompatible with a certain common (and important) emotion. The paper is split into three sections. I begin by introducing existential dread. Next, I show how existential dread fits into a widely accepted theory of emotion according to which emotions are intentional states susceptible of being both intelligible and correct, where an emotion is intelligible if, roughly, it makes sense; and is correct if, roughly, it fits its object. The core of the paper is the third section: in that section, I introduce the B-theory of time and I argue that it is incompatible with existential dread.
引用
收藏
页码:14691 / 14708
页数:18
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