A work concerned with the passage of time and our apprehension of it forces upon its author a deep appreciation for the many people and multiple accidents ofhistory that went into shaping it. This project first took shape at Princeton University over five years ago. There I had the input and guidance of George Kateb and Alexander Nehamas, but I also received something else that I value much more: their display of an academic temper so judicious, restrained, and rigorous, and yet so

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... as to foster in me the belief (against much contrary evidence) that the institutionalized pursuit ofknowledge could be a good thing. They teach, as Aristode suggested, through the example of good character rather than the inculcation of doctrine. I hope it does not horrify them too much that I associate them here with that philosopher. David Steiner, into whose office I stumbled many years ago, endured my first, embarrassingly grandiose attempts to discuss political philosophy seriously and managed to suggest some wise choices without any display of contempt. For this, and for his continually thoughtful advice and friendship at every later stage of my education, and throughout this project, I owe him a deep debt. John Dilulio has similarly counseled me for an even longer period than David, and he has my permanent gratitude as well. Amy Gutmann, Alan Ryan, Elizabeth Kiss, Anne Norton, and Victor Preller all helped to realize this project with support both intellectual and material. My thanks as well to the "J-team" -