Exploring Concepts of Time and Tense

Dear Colleagues,

In his Confessions XI, c. XIV, St. Augustine stated: “What, then, is time? If no one asks me, I know: if I wish to ex­plain it to one that asketh, I know not”. This claim is very famous, and it is still important to consider and discuss the insights behind it. Time is not definable in terms of other con­cepts. However, as we all have a tacit knowledge of what time is, we are able to explore conceptual aspects of time. Philosophical studies of the concept of time and the difficult problems related to it may significantly support interdisciplinary research concerning the temporal aspects of reality. One essential topic of discussion deals with the static versus the dynamic conception of time. A similar problem concerns the relation between the tensed and untensed language of time, and the question of whether there are tensed facts. Other important problems within the philosophy of time concern the understanding of notions like the passing of time, the Now, eternity, the temporal identity of objects, beginning and ending, etc.

The 20th century has seen a very important development within the philosophical study of time. One of the most important contributions to the modern philosophy of time was made in the 1950s and 1960s by A.N. Prior, who became the founder of modern tense logic. He presented his ideas for the very first time in 1954 and continued to work on tense logic and temporal logic until his death in 1969. Since then, philosophers and logicians have continued working within Prior’s paradigm. Tense logic offers a formal language that makes it possible to discuss ideas of circular, linear and even branching time in a conceptually precise manner.  Furthermore, the tense-logical ideas are important within the study of future contingency. In particular, the tense-logical approach is useful in the discussion of whether a contingent statement about the future can be true now.  In fact, this problem is the secular counterpart of the classical problem in philosophy of religion concerning the apparent conflict between the doctrines of divine foreknowledge and human freedom.

This Special Issue on “Exploring Concepts of Time and Tense” aims to make progress with respect to at least some of these (and related) issues. We therefore invite original research articles on, though not limited to, any of the topics mentioned above. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Peter Øhrstrøm
Guest Editor

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• tensed facts
• tense logic
• the passing of time
• the Now
• beginning
• ending
• circular time
• branching time
• future contingency