The Arrow Argument

Question 1

The Arrow Argument

Answer 1

1) Each thing occupies a single space at each instant
2) If (1), then nothing moves during an instant
3) If nothing moves during any instant, then everything is at rest in every instant
4) If everything is at rest in every instant, then nothing moves
5) So, Nothing moves

Question 2

explain (1) in the arrow argument

Answer 2

In a temporal sense, an instant of time can be understood as a point in time in which no time is passing. It can be understood as analogous to a single point on a line – the point has no width or length. There is not enough time to move anywhere in an instant.

Question 3

explain (2) in the arrow argument

Answer 3

Given that everything remains in the same position in an instant, it follows that everything is at rest in any given instant – assuming that movement requires a change in position.

Question 4

explain (3) in the arrow argument

Answer 4

What we mean when we say something is not moving, is that it’s at rest.

Question 5

explain (4) in the arrow argument

Answer 5

Nothing moves because everything is at rest at any given instant and time is composed of instants.

Question 6

Zeno’s assumption of rest

Answer 6

In premise 3, Zeno assumed that because an object x rest given any instant t, x is not in motion at t.

Question 7

what motion actually is

Answer 7

• What it really means to say that x is in motion at t, is to say that x occupies different places at the time surrounding t.
• Even though things are in the same position in any given t, the fact that it is in a different positions at the times surrounding t means that it is in motion.

Question 8

outline for the arrow argument

Answer 8

1) explain (1)-(4)
2) Zeno’s assumption of rest
3) what motion actually is