The Personalized A-Theory of Time and Perspective

TL;DR

This paper argues that A-theorists should also accept a perspective-based view of the self, linking the metaphysical distinction of the 'Now' with the unique status of the 'I' in time and perspective.

Contribution

It proposes a unified view connecting the metaphysical status of the 'Now' and the 'I', extending A-theory to include perspective-based distinctions.

Findings

Key arguments for A-theory support the combined perspective view.

Arguments against A-theory are less effective against the combined view.

The unified position offers a more coherent metaphysical framework.

Abstract

A-theorists and B-theorists debate whether the "Now" is metaphysically distinguished from other time slices. Analogously, one may ask whether the "I" is metaphysically distinguished from other perspectives. Few philosophers would answer the second question in the affirmative. An exception is Caspar Hare, who has devoted two papers and a book to arguing for such a positive answer. In this paper, I argue that those who answer the first question in the affirmative -- A-theorists -- should also answer the second question in the affirmative. This is because key arguments in favor of the A-theory are more effective as arguments in favor of the resulting combined position, and key arguments against the A-theory are ineffective against the combined position.