Eternalist

An Eternalist is a person who holds the philosophical view that all points in time—past, present, and future—are equally real and existent. This perspective contrasts with presentism, which posits that only the present is real, while the past and future are not. Eternalism is often explored in discussions about the nature of time, reality, and existence, particularly in metaphysics and theoretical physics. Those who identify as Eternalists argue that time is a dimension similar to space, whereby all moments persist indefinitely.

Eternalist meaning with examples

• The physicist argued that the observer's paradox supported an Eternalist view of time. Events are all 'there,' just waiting to be observed. A true believer in this view would understand that they could not fundamentally change anything. The experiment's conclusion offered an interesting way to understand quantum entanglement through a unified spacetime model.
• After reading the sci-fi novel, Sarah started pondering the implications of Eternalism, considering how our lives are unchangeable in a sense. She was not convinced, but she could see how this idea, a core tenet of Eternalism, influenced the main character’s actions and their responses to their tragic circumstances. The idea of pre-determined fate resonated with her, however.
• The religious scholar presented an Eternalist interpretation of scripture, claiming that God sees all time at once. From this Eternalist standpoint, prayer changes the petitioner, and the impact of the event is known to God. All choices were already known. He felt this understanding provided solace, as all things were ultimately part of a greater, pre-ordained plan, and our perception of time is limited.
• During the debate, the philosopher defended her Eternalist stance, arguing that free will is an illusion. According to the Eternalist viewpoint, our subjective experience of choice and agency are real, but they are simply part of the 'block' of time. The feeling of choice remains, as an effect to the already present events, but our impact is less certain than we would expect. The impact on morality is hard to determine.
• In her philosophy class, Maria was fascinated by the concept of Eternalism, which suggested that time is not linear but a vast landscape where every moment exists simultaneously. This idea challenged her previous understanding of time and encouraged her to think differently about her own experiences and memories.
• During the debate on metaphysics, John passionately argued for the Eternalist perspective, claiming that our understanding of time is limited. He drew upon examples from physics that support a block universe theory, where every moment is equally real and interconnected, advocating for a more expansive view of existence.
• As a writer, Sarah found herself enamored with the Eternalist notion that every moment holds its significance regardless of when it occurs. This inspired her to craft a narrative that seamlessly moves through various timelines, seamlessly blending past, present, and future into a unified story.
• In conversations about the nature of existence, David often identifies as an Eternalist, expressing his belief that moments from our lives, no matter how far away, continue to influence who we are today. He finds comfort in the idea that nothing truly ever disappears.
• The documentary explored different philosophies of time, prominently featuring the Eternalist viewpoint. Viewers were invited to ponder their own perceptions of time and to consider how the Eternalist view might reshape their understanding of life's events and memories.