Time and the Metaphysics of Relativity (Philosophical Studies Series, 84) 2001st Edition by W.L. Craig (PDF)

Description

The larger project of which this volume forms part is an attempt to craft a coherent doctrine of divine eternity and God’s relationship to time. Central to this project is the integration of the concerns of theology with the concept of time in relativity theory. This volume provides an accessible and philosophically informed examination of the concept of time in relativity, the ultimate aim being the achievement of a tenable theological synthesis.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review From the reviews:”In this book, Craig draws some important strands together regarding the concept of God and relativity theory. … In his excellent, integrative work, Craig has superbly brought together a tensed (A-) theory of time, divine temporality, and neo-Lorentzian relativity.” (Paul Copan, The Review of Metaphysics, Vol. LVI (223), 2003)

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This is a brilliant work reconciling Special Relativity with God and Time. He shows three interpretations of the theory, first Einstein’s original which is a 3+1 Ontology (3-Dimensions and 1 of time) which though combinable with an A-series of time nevertheless is a Relative Interpretation due to relative reference frames so is called the Relativity Interpretation. The second view was held by both Einstein and Minkowski (Einstein abandoning his original interpretation). This holds to a 4-Dimensional ontology time being connected to space thus known as the Spacetime interpretation which holds to a B-series of time. Then the final interpretation of Lorentz which is a 3+1 Ontology, holding to an A-series of time but with a fundamental and priviledged frame so that absolute time is upheld. He gives reasons as to why he considers the last superior philosophically, theologically and even scientifically giving a Neo-Lorentzian view.There are 11 Chapters, the last one however being just a short concluding one, here is the order:Chapter 1: The Historical Background of Special RelativityChapter 2: Einstein’s Special Theory [Relativity Interpretation]Chapter 3: Time Dilation and Length ContractionChapter 4: Empirical Confirmation of Special RelativityChapter 5: Two Relativistic Interpretations [Relativity Interpretation and the Spacetime Interpretation focuses on the latter in comparison to the former]Chapter 6: The Classical Concept of Time [A-series, Absolute Space and Time, etc]Chapter 7: The Positivistic Foundations of Relativity TheoryChapter 8: The Elimination of Absolute TimeChapter 9: Absolute Time and Relativistic Time [Enter the Neo-Lorentzian Interpretation]Chapter 10: God’s Time and General RelativiryChapter 11: ConclusionThis book is a must have book despite the price tag it’s worth it.Noticed that phozee reviewed it and said William Lane Craig doesn’t know the basics of science however nothing further is from the truth and I think he has not been able to grasp the genius of Dr. Craig in regards to the work and material therein and I would certainly recommend his debates see for instance his debate with Sean Carroll the theoretical cosmologist freely available online, just type in Greer-Heard Point Counterpoint Forums the topic being God and Cosmology which shows this all to well.Anyway be sure not to miss out on this gem in Academics and just sheer genius.

⭐This book thoroughly looks at relativity theory and examines the metaphysics that it rests upon. Craig examines the topic in a way that calls into question the legion of misunderstandings about relativity theory that most implicitly assume. He argues plausibly that a Minkowskian 4-D model is not the only model that can account for the empirical data, but that a neo-Lorentzian 3-D model can do so as well. This is of deep import, since it demonstrates that the notion of absolute time is just as consistent with the data as is relativistic time. Craig discusses the historical dismissal of absolute time within its contemporary philosophical context. Strikingly, the notion of absolute time was abandoned not in virtue of any serious logical or empirical necessity (as is commonly thought), but was disregarded simply due to the prominence of the verificationism of the era which itself has long been abandoned. Craig does a good job of making key conceptual distinctions between different senses of the words “absolute” and “relative” and shows that the confusion of these different senses of the words lead to the common errors so evident in popularist understandings of the subject. To conclude, this is a worthy academic text that should be read by philosophers, physicists, and even theologians. This is a good example of philosophy doing its work to deepen the understanding via rational method. Highly recommended.

⭐William Lane Craig has made a great volume. It is a philosophically informed treatise on relativity and the ontology of time. He is fair and presenting and critiquing different interpretations of relativity , even if you disagree with his conclusion. A must read for any interested in philosophy of physics.

⭐$200 price tag for a book making scientific claims by someone who doesn’t understand the basics of science. I recommend trying to watch him debate before wasting your money on something like this.

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