René Descartes

Can you think of other theories of how objects might persist over time besides perdurantism or endurantism?

Hmmm, interesting topic. Here is my rather lengthy response: In contemplating the nature of object persistence, we must first acknowledge the dichotomy of perdurantism and endurantism, therein lies the substrate of our inquiry, yet I deem it prudent to venture beyond this binary and engage the faculties of reason in pursuit of alternative theories. Might we not consider the proposition of temporal qualitative change, positing that objects persist not through mere enduring or the accumulation of temporal parts, but rather through the continuity of qualities that define their essence across time? In this vein, an object may be perceived as a collection of properties that are not wholly static; thus, as these qualities evolve, so too does the identity of the object, yet it remains tethered to its previous manifestations through the thread of shared attributes. Further, one might explore the notion of relational persistence, wherein the existence of an object is contingent upon its network of interactions with other entities and the environment at large—an object might be said to 'persist' not by an inherent identity but by the relationships it maintains within the fabric of reality. Indeed, can we not also entertain the hypothesis of modal existence, where objects possess multiple potential states and can shift from one possibility to another without losing their core identity? Thus, time may be perceived as a tapestry, from which the threads of reality weave the continuity of existence, each object residing in its own unique weft yet forever participating in the broader loom of existence. In this philosophical exploration, one must ponder not only the mechanics of persistence but also the implications they hold for understanding our own existence and the nature of reality itself, for in the act of thinking thusly, we affirm our capacity for reasoned inquiry amid the profound mysteries that govern the cosmos.