Harrington, James (2011) Instants and Instantaneous Velocity. [Preprint]

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Abstract

As Frank Arntzenius has shown, instantaneous velocity continues to pose philosophical puzzles. Here I recap the flaws involved in all three standard theories of velocity-the 'at-at' theory plus the calculus, impetus or dispositional theories and `no-instants' theories. Next, I argue that, although it avoids the problems with impetus theories identified by Arntzenius, Marc Lange's dispositional theory of velocity suffers from its own variety of philosophical perplexity. I conclude by arguing for a modified `no-instants' theory, inspired by Aristotle's responses to Zeno's paradoxes, that avoids the problems for the versions considered by Arntzenius. In addition, this theory points the way to a more philosophically perspicuous account of the internal structure of time.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Harrington, James
Keywords:	velocity, instants, calculus, Zeno's paradoxes
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Causation
Depositing User:	JAMES HARRINGTON
Date Deposited:	19 Jun 2011 11:41
Last Modified:	19 Jun 2011 11:41
Item ID:	8675
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Causation
Date:	June 2011
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8675

Available Versions of this Item

• Instants and Instantaneous Velocity. (deposited 22 Dec 2008)
  • Instants and Instantaneous Velocity. (deposited 16 Nov 2010 03:39)
    • Instants and Instantaneous Velocity. (deposited 19 Jun 2011 11:41) [Currently Displayed]

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