Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-9-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Philosophy and Religion
First Advisor
Neil Manson
Second Advisor
Donovan Wishon
Third Advisor
Aaron Graham
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
This paper examines the intersection of the philosophy of time and the philosophy of free will, asking whether theories of time, such as the B-Theory or presentism, have an impact on free will beyond what they suggest about the truth or falsity of determinism. It first discusses common connections made between free will and time in past literature and dismisses determinism as a connection. The paper proceeds to provide three conditions for free will: the existence of a self, the ability of that self to inform decisions, and the ability of that decision to adequately participate in the causal chain. It also identifies two criteria that a theory of time must fulfill to impact free will. Finally, it applies these parameters to the main theories of time and concludes that the theory of time most conducive to free will is a dynamic, eternalist A-Theory.
Recommended Citation
Otto, Sarah, "Theories of Time and Free Will" (2026). Honors Theses. 3516.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3516
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