Presentism is the view that necessarily, it is always the case that only present objects exist and time passes. Characterized as such, presentism faces three objections: the reference objection, the grounding objection, and the objection from the special theory of relativity. Presentists cannot offer an adequate response to the latter objection, and can only avoid succumbing to the first two objections by adopting a descriptive account of propositions and a new account of truth grounding. The main motivation for presentism – the argument from experience – also faces serious objections, and is ultimately refuted by another objection from the special theory of relativity. A new version of presentism, Barcan presentism, can be shown to offer a better response to the reference objection than classical presentism. Barcan presentism, however, should still be rejected based on the grounding objection and the objection from the special theory of relativity.

v, 234 leaves : tables ; 28 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.1974) from the Dept. of Psychology, University of Adelaide

Thesis (B.A.(Hons.)) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of History, 1980. / Typescript (photocopy).

Thesis (B.A. Hons. 1971) from the Department of Psychology, University of Adelaide.

Thèse--Faculté des lettres de Paris.

Thesis--University of London.

Thesis--New York University. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-61).

Thesis--University of Pittsburgh. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Notre Dame, 2005. / Thesis directed by Jerome H. Neyrey for the Department of Theology. "March 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 307-324).

Thesis--University of London.