Papers on Time and Tense

by Prior, Arthur N.; Hasle, Per; Øhrstrøm, Peter; Braüner, Torben; Copeland, Jack

• ISBN13: 9780199256075
• ISBN10: 0199256071
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-17
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This is a revised and expanded edition of a seminal work in the logic and philosophy of time, originally published in 1968. Arthur N. Prior (1914-1969) was the founding father of temporal logic, and his book offers an excellent introduction to the fundamental questions in the field. Several important papers have been added to the original selection, as well as a comprehensive bibliography of Prior's work and an illuminating interview with his widow, Mary Prior. In addition, the Polish logic which made Prior's writings difficult for many readers has been replaced by standard logical notation. This new edition will secure the classic status of the book.

Table of Contents

Editors' Introduction	vii
Prior's Preface to the Second Edition	1	(6)
Changes in Events and Changes in Things	7	(14)
Fugitive Truth	21	(6)
On Spurious Egocentricity	27	(12)
The Formalities of Omniscience	39	(20)
Contemplation and Action	59	(6)
The Consequences of Actions	65	(8)
Limited Indeterminism	73	(8)
Identifiable Individuals	81	(12)
Time, Existence, and Identity	93	(10)
Recent Advances in Tense Logic	103	(14)
Tense Logic and the Logic of Earlier and Later	117	(22)
The Logic of Ending Time	139	(20)
Stratified Metric Tense Logic	159	(12)
`Now'	171	(24)
Tensed Propositions as Predicates	195	(18)
Quasi-Propositions and Quasi-Individuals	213	(10)
Egocentric Logic	223	(18)
Worlds, Times and Selves	241	(16)
Tense Logic for Non-Permanent Existents	257	(18)
Modal Logic and the Logic of Applicability	275	(18)
Appendix 1. Life and Work of Arthur N. Prior: An Interview with Mary Prior	293	(18)
Appendix 2. Bibliography of A.N. Prior's Writings	311	(18)
Index	329