Philosophy 381: Metaphysics in Science Fiction

Given: For the purposes of this paper, changing the past (or the future) is impossible.

(1) Suppose that the path between North Court and Keller Hall is composed of 1000 bricks of the same size. The administration decides that the path is old and worn and needs replacing. They want a new path that will last for at least 25 years. They hire you to do the replacing. Unfortunately, as a result of circumstances outside your control, you have access to only a single brand new brick. Luckily you have access to a time machine that will allow you to travel into the future and the past without restriction.

Is it logically possible for you to pave the entire path from North Court to Keller using just this single brick?

(2) If you say it is possible, articulate how it is possible and then defend your position against at least one objection purporting to show that your articulation is not really possible. If you say it is not possible, articulate why it is not possible and then defend your position against at least one objection purporting to show that your impossibility argument fails.

Extra directions: This assignment should be a minimum of 2 standardly formatted typewritten pages. All pages should be numbered. There is no maximum length, but since I value precision, conciseness, and clarity, excess verbiage should be avoided.

Complete this assignment on separate paper. Sign this sheet at the bottom and staple this sheet to your answers.

Due: Thursday, October 12, at the beginning of class.

I pledge that I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance during the completion of this work.