Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Journal | Volume | Article

168396

Arrows, balls and the metaphysics of motion

Claudio CalosiVincenzo Fano

pp. 499-515

Abstract

The arrow paradox is an argument purported to show that objects do not really move. The two main metaphysics of motion, the At–At theory of motion and velocity primitivism, solve the paradox differently. It is argued that neither solution is completely satisfactory. In particular it is contended that there are no decisive arguments in favor of the claim that velocity as it is constructed in the At–At theory is a truly instantaneous property, which is a crucial assumption to solve the paradox. If so the At–At theory faces the threat that most of our physical theories turn out to be non-Markovian. Finally it is considered whether all those threats and paradoxes are dispelled if only a new metaphysics of persistence is taken into account, namely four-dimensionalism.

Publication details

Published in:

(2014) Axiomathes 24 (4).

Pages: 499-515

Full citation:

Calosi Claudio, Fano Vincenzo (2014) „Arrows, balls and the metaphysics of motion“. Axiomathes 24 (4), 499–515.