A Theory of the A‐Theory

ABSTRACT

There is no precise characterization of the A‐ and B‐theories that has won a consensus in the literature. In this paper, we set out to provide clear formulations of these theories in the setting of higher‐order logic in what we call the operational framework . In the operational framework, the disagreement between the A‐ and B‐theories centers on the distribution of accuracy among times. We will show that these formulations of the A‐ and B‐theories produce strong predictions about various features of temporal reality. We will address some objections that could be made to the operational framework from both A‐ and B‐theorists. We will also examine how the operational framework helps us think about the ideological commitments of the A‐ and B‐theories. We will close by suggesting ways in which this framework can be applied to other topics in the metaphysics of temporal intervals, spacetime, modality, and first‐person perspectives.