[All seminars] \;17:00 to 18:30 pm (GMT+0): \;https://meet.google.com/odf-sdnr-grw
\nAbstract
\nIn this talk\, I'll argue that there is a tension between Dispositionalism &ndash\;&ndash\; the view that all metaphysical modality is grounded in actual irreducible dispositional properties &ndash\;&ndash\; and the possibility of time travel. I first present a potentiality-based version of the grandfather paradox\, stating that the following theses are inconsistent: 1) time travel is possible\, 2) powers fully ground modality\, 3) self-defeating actions are impossible\, 4) time-travellers retain their intrinsic powers upon time-travelling\, and 5) time-travellers are ordinary agents. \;
\nI will offer some arguments to the effect that we ought to accept premises (4) and (5). In order to do so\, I will take a detour on the relation between powers\, time\, processes\, and dated truths &ndash\;&ndash\; \; statements that specify a particular time\, like ``I can drink a cup of coffee at 8.15 on Wednesday 09/03/2022''. \;
\nFinally\, I'll show how the orthodox solutions to the paradox &ndash\;&ndash\;especially Lewis' &ndash\;&ndash\; cannot be applied\, in virtue of the fact that powers are localised exact truthmakers. Indeed\, I'll suggest to consider the inconsistency generated by the grandfather paradox as an instance of a more general and structural problem for dispositional theories of modality: that of necessary perfect masks (Vetter &\; Busse 2022).
\nI'll conclude by considering what the options are for the friend of powers\, and argue that there is no cheap way out of the problem\, short of a considerable overhaul of the theory.
\nLink: \;https://meet.google.com/odf-sdnr-grw
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