Temporal Passage and the 'no alternate possibilities' argument

Abstract

Dynamic theories of time typically commit to the claim that "time passes". In this paper I develop a version of the 'no alternate possibilities' argument in order to show that time does not pass, but that this is no threat to dynamic theories of time.

If Time Can Pass, Time Can Pass at Different Rates

“…Hence, time cannot pass and hence does not pass. Tallant (2016) calls this the No Alternate Possibilities argument.…”

“…Contemporary discussion of the No Alternate Possibilities argument (in particular Tallant 2016 and Raven [2011]) centres on the question of whether there is anything objectionable about a putative rate holding of necessity. It is taken for granted that there are, indeed, no alternate possibilities—no alternate rates at which time could pass.…”