McTaggart's Critique and My model of Temporal Physics

 McTaggart's Critique

The Past as a Construct:

In my model, the past is not an actual, existent part of reality. Instead, it is a construct or reconstruction based on current values and dynamics. This aligns with a critique of the A-series because it denies the actual existence of past events as entities. Instead, what we consider the past is merely our interpretation or memory of how time has unfolded based on current physical states.

Dynamic Interactions as Present Reality:

My model suggests that only the present interactions and dynamics are real. The current values and interactions determine the state of the system, and these are the only realities. This could be seen as focusing on a dynamic present, somewhat bridging the gap between the A-series' dynamic nature and the B-series' fixed relations.

Sequence and Temporal Relations:

The sequence of events and their relations (earlier than, later than) are understood in My model as dependent on the current state and its dynamics. This view is more in line with the B-series, where temporal relations are fixed but derived from current interactions rather than a static timeline.

Addressing McTaggart’s Critique

Avoiding A-series Contradictions:

By not asserting the reality of the past, My model avoids the contradictions inherent in the A-series. Since the past does not exist independently, there is no need for an event to possess mutually exclusive properties (past, present, future) at different times.

Providing a Basis for Temporal Experience:

My model offers a way to understand temporal experience without needing the A-series' dynamic aspect. The past is a mental construct based on present values, which explains why we perceive a flow of time. This could address McTaggart's concern about the lack of temporal passage in the B-series by providing a framework for understanding how we experience time's flow.

Memory and Stored Reactions:

Memory and stored reactions play a crucial role in reconstructing the past. This idea can be related to McTaggart’s understanding of how we perceive time. In My model, these stored values inform our understanding of temporal sequences, providing a subjective experience of time's passage without positing the objective existence of past events.

Hypothetical Dialogue with McTaggart

McTaggart: "Your model denies the reality of the past and yet relies on the current state to reconstruct it. How does this account for the dynamic aspect of temporal experience?"

Me: "Indeed, the past is not an independent reality but a reconstruction based on present dynamics. Temporal experience is thus a product of how current interactions inform our understanding of sequences and causality, which we interpret as the flow of time."

McTaggart: "But without the A-series, how do I explain the perception of temporal passage?"

Me: "The perception of temporal passage arises from the ongoing changes and interactions within the present state. These changes inform our memory and stored reactions, creating a sense of continuity and flow without requiring the objective existence of the past or future."

In summary, my model challenges the traditional A-series by denying the independent existence of the past and instead focuses on the present state and its dynamic interactions. This approach offers a new way to understand temporal experience and may address some of McTaggart's critiques while providing a coherent framework for understanding time's passage.