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Travels in Four Dimensions: The Enigmas of Space and Time
Does time really flow, or is that simply an illusion? Did time have a beginning? What does it mean to say that time has a direction? Does space have boundaries, or is it infinite? Are our space and time unique, or could there be other, parallel worlds with their own space and time? Do space and time really exist, or are they simply the constructions of our minds?
Robin Le Poidevin provides a clear, witty, and stimulating introduction to these deep questions, and many other mind-boggling puzzles and paradoxes. He gives a vivid sense of the difficulties raised by our ordinary ideas about space and time, but he also gives us the basis to think about these problems independently, avoiding large amounts of jargon and technicality. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required to enjoy this book. The universe might seem very different after reading it.
Robin Le Poidevin provides a clear, witty, and stimulating introduction to these deep questions, and many other mind-boggling puzzles and paradoxes. He gives a vivid sense of the difficulties raised by our ordinary ideas about space and time, but he also gives us the basis to think about these problems independently, avoiding large amounts of jargon and technicality. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required to enjoy this book. The universe might seem very different after reading it.
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Robin Le Poidevin
17 books13 followersRobin Le Poidevin (born 1962) is a Professor of Metaphysics at the University of Leeds whose interests include the nature and experience of time, agnosticism, and philosophy of religion. He joined the Department of Philosophy at Leeds in 1989 having completed postgraduate studies at both Oxford and Cambridge, obtaining his MA from the former and his PhD from the latter.He is also the current president of The British Society for the Philosophy of Religion.
From 1998 to 2001 he was Head of Department, and in 2000 was appointed to a personal chair in Metaphysics. He is a member of the Centre for Philosophy of Religion, the Centre for Metaphysics and Mind, and is the Editor of Religious Studies, and Past President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion.
In 2007 he gave the Stanton Lectures in the Philosophy of Religion at the University of Cambridge, and in 2012 was Alan Richardson Fellow in Theology at the University of Durham.
From 1998 to 2001 he was Head of Department, and in 2000 was appointed to a personal chair in Metaphysics. He is a member of the Centre for Philosophy of Religion, the Centre for Metaphysics and Mind, and is the Editor of Religious Studies, and Past President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion.
In 2007 he gave the Stanton Lectures in the Philosophy of Religion at the University of Cambridge, and in 2012 was Alan Richardson Fellow in Theology at the University of Durham.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 28, 2008
This is a really excellent introduction to debates about the metaphysics of time and space. It accomplishes much of its exposition by the use of amusing paradoxes. I'm planning on using its chapter on the passage of time (and maybe also its chapter on temporal direction) in a freshman-level introductory class. One great didactic strength of the book is that it sets up problems -- and disposes of easy solutions to them -- rather than providing solutions. It would be improved if it were clearer about the notion of n+3 spatial dimensions. In order to do so, it would have to answer the question: what would make a dimension a spatial dimension? Now _there_ is an interesting question!
August 1, 2017
Very clear review of metaphysical problems involving space, time and infinity. It was a pleasure to read and I found many thought experiments I hadn't come across before - e.g. the splitting of a cone.
I especially feel I benefitted from some of the arguments in the end, one of which explained the idea of "Presentism" - that when you rewrite history textbooks, you have actually changed the past. A terribly foolish idea, but one that can be seen many times in recent history and even in the current political atmosphere.
I especially feel I benefitted from some of the arguments in the end, one of which explained the idea of "Presentism" - that when you rewrite history textbooks, you have actually changed the past. A terribly foolish idea, but one that can be seen many times in recent history and even in the current political atmosphere.
August 11, 2021
A bunch of paradoxes that rely on assuming a lot of things and refusing to consider anything else.
Is a hippo a dog or a cat? It has some dog qualities and some cat qualities, but it's not fully either! Some say it's a different animal, but that doesn't solve the problem of whether it's a dog or a cat. What a paradox!
Is a hippo a dog or a cat? It has some dog qualities and some cat qualities, but it's not fully either! Some say it's a different animal, but that doesn't solve the problem of whether it's a dog or a cat. What a paradox!
June 22, 2020
Really poses some thought provoking ideas about the universe in which we live.
October 19, 2020
超级有意思的一本书！时间与空间真是“你不说我还明白、你一说我就不知道了”的东西。你没看过的“时间”与“空间”。
January 18, 2014
Great introduction to the Philosophy of Space and of Time. Not as much material on the A-series/B-series split as I wanted but the foundation building up to that was excellent.
March 31, 2011
Part of my reading for PHIL305 - Time & other Metaphysical Topics.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews