[Serious] Is the Past Real?

[Angrboda]

What about numbers?

The question of mathematical realism seems independent of one's time theory. Even in presentism there is still the idea of conditions that must always present in all possible worlds. Perhaps numbers fall into that category of being even under presentism. Or maybe I am moderating the presentist position.

The reason I bring up numbers is not to settle the question, but rather to suggest that the limits to what is real extend beyond the tangible or physical. Numbers are not physical, yet we have reason to suspect that they are real. So it would seem that physicality itself likely cannot serve as a litmus test for what is real. That leaves us with questions as to why under this secular theory the past is not considered real. Your secular theory seem mute on that question.

I don't know whether it was you or someone else, but it has been said that the past and the future are ontologically equivalent or mirror images of each other. This doesn't appear to be the case, however, as the past has been, it has existed and makes certain propositions truth apt which the future does not. So while it's tempting to consider them mirror images of each other, I don't think that would be accurate.