Relics, Remnants, and Scrap

The final chapter examines the conditions under which artifacts can invite encounters with the past, noting the metaphysical implications that arise with the claim that genuineness comes in degrees. Several approaches to the persistence of objects over time are reviewed, including some well-known metaphysical problems (such as the ship of Theseus). The metaphysics endorsed follows Lynne Rudder Baker’s claim that objects of both art and nature are inherently vague, a thesis that supports the idea that material things can persist through change that causes their deterioration. The conclusion draws together the various ways that persistence over time can invite encounters with the past, centering on material presence and including continuity of function and use.