Running out of time

: the temporal case against the kalam

Abstract

In this dissertation, I argue that if the kalam cosmological argument works, then it must work on either the A-theory of time or the B-theory of time. I offer several arguments for thinking that the kalam does not work on either the A-theory of time or the B-theory of time. The two main versions of the A-theory, presentism and the growing block theory, are considered. Even though I argue that the growing block theorist has the greatest chance of making the kalam work, I nonetheless argue that their attempts fail for various reasons. In the end, the kalam is left unsupported by any major theory of time and is therefore vitiated.

Date of Award	12 Jun 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of St Andrews
Supervisor	Simon Prosser (Supervisor) & Colin Philip Johnstone (Supervisor)