An examination of Whitehead's epochal theory of time

Author

Villard Alan White

Date of Award

8-1982

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Philosophy

Major Professor

Rem B. Edwards

Abstract

This thesis is an examination of Alfred North Whitehead's epochal theory of time. Two necessary conditions for Whitehead's epochal theory are analyzed. First, Whitehead's requirement that events "become" is examined, with the result that becoming is found not to be an objective, physical feature of events in Whitehead's theory as is commonly thought. Second, the requirement that events be discrete is examined, with the result that this requirement is found to be incompatible with contemporary quantum theory, contrary to Whitehead's claim that it is compatible.

Recommended Citation

White, Villard Alan, "An examination of Whitehead's epochal theory of time. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 1982.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/13346