Abstract

In this paper, I adopt a negative stance on the metaphysical debate concerning persistence. Rather than proposing a new theory, I argue against four-dimensional endurantism by exposing its underlying assumptions and problems that alternative theories of persistence, such as perdurantism and transdurantism, do not share. My aim, thus, is to undermine the motivation for, and central arguments of, four-dimensional endurantism, demonstrating that adopting this view offers no real advantage to B-theorists (or eternalists) and, in fact, introduces significant problems. Accordingly, I suggest that B-theorists have good reasons to hold a perdurantist, transdurantist, or stage theoretic view of persistence.