Four-Dimensionalism defends the thesis that the material world is composed of temporal as well as spatial parts. This defense includes a novel account of persistence over time, new arguments in favour of the four-dimensional ontology, and responses to the challenges four-dimensionalism faces. Theodore Sider pays particular attention to the philosophy of time, including a strong series of arguments against presentism, the thesis that only the present is real. Arguments offered in favour of four-dimensionalism include novel arguments based on time travel, the debate beween spacetime substantivalists and relationalists, and vagueness. Also included is a comprehensive discussion of the paradoxes of coinciding material objects, and a novel resolution of those paradoxes based on temporal counterpart theory. In conclusion Sider replies to prominent objections to four-dimensionalism, including discussion of the problem of the rotating homogenous disk. Four Dimensionalism is an original and highly readable study of the metaphysics of time and identity.

Prizes

Winner of Winner of the 2003 American Philosophical Association Prize.

For many years to come, this is sure to be the locus classicus with respect to which all those engaged with the literature on persistence must position themselves. * Kathrin Koslicki, Philosophical Review *
Sider's efforts have opened the gate to a fertile field in logical space. * The Philosophical Quarterly *
Four-Dimensionalism will be a valuable addition to our bookshelves. * The Philosophical Quarterly *
This is simply a superb book in metaphysics - handsomely written, cleverly argued, and exceedingly clear. * Hud Hudson, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
Sider does not deny that this four-dimensionalist conception of persisting things is counterintuitive. His claim is that, all things considered, it yields a more coherent ontology than any of its competitors. His defence of this claim is impressive: bold, clear, wide-ranging and fair-minded; it is the best of its kind on offer. * Barry Dainton, Times Literary Supplement *

Ted Sider is Professor of Philosophy at New York University