Do Asymmetries of Temporal Ontology Ground There Being Reasons to Have (Certain) Temporal Attitudes?

It has been argued that one or other asymmetry in temporal ontology grounds there being reasons to have certain temporal attitudes which we not only have, but also judge to be reasonable, and that this gives us reason to posit that asymmetry. Call this general form of argument, the Argument from Reasonable Attitudes (ARA). There are several versions of this argument depending on (a) the posited asymmetry and (b) the attitude(s) mentioned and (c) whether the reasons adduced are subjective or objective. I argue that none of the resulting versions of the ARA are sound, and so reflecting on the nature of these temporal attitudes does not furnish us a reason to posit an asymmetry in temporal ontology.

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Publication Details

Journal
Philosophies
Published
2026-04-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies11030066
Primary Topic
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Do Asymmetries of Temporal Ontology Ground There Being Reasons to Have (Certain) Temporal Attitudes?

Kristie Miller
Philosophies
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
article

Do Asymmetries of Temporal Ontology Ground There Being Reasons to Have (Certain) Temporal Attitudes?

Kristie Miller
article en

Abstract

It has been argued that one or other asymmetry in temporal ontology grounds there being reasons to have certain temporal attitudes which we not only have, but also judge to be reasonable, and that this gives us reason to posit that asymmetry. Call this general form of argument, the Argument from Reasonable Attitudes (ARA). There are several versions of this argument depending on (a) the posited asymmetry and (b) the attitude(s) mentioned and (c) whether the reasons adduced are subjective or objective. I argue that none of the resulting versions of the ARA are sound, and so reflecting on the nature of these temporal attitudes does not furnish us a reason to posit an asymmetry in temporal ontology.

PhilosophiesVol. 11(3)
The University of Sydney (AU), Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology (AU)
Australian Research Council
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
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