Running out of time : the temporal case against the kalam

Abstract

In this dissertation, I argue that if the kalam cosmological argument works, then it must work on either the A-theory of time or the B-theory of time. I offer several arguments for thinking that the kalam does not work on either the A-theory of time or the B-theory of time. The two main versions of the A-theory, presentism and the growing block theory, are considered. Even though I argue that the growing block theorist has the greatest chance of making the kalam work, I nonetheless argue that their attempts fail for various reasons. In the end, the kalam is left unsupported by any major theory of time and is therefore vitiated.