3 ms·
I would argue that the concept of time is what is used to explain the transition between two states, not the difference between them. Time is not required for e
by runeks 10y ago
I would argue that the concept of time is what is used to explain the transition between two states, not the difference between them. Time is not required for either state to exist by itself, but because the speed of light is finite it must take a finite amount of time to change one configuration of matter (state) into another one.
"Time" is just another word for "change".
- tannhauser23 10y agoThe difficulty is in defining "change" and "transition" without using the concept of time. The circularity is difficult to avoid. This is the classic paper that started it all: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unreality_of_Time https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unreality_of_Time
- runeks 10y agoTime is not necessary for change to occur, I would argue. For example, how long does it take for a thought to disappear? I would argue it disappears in no time, or at least that it can do so. There isn't any transition period where only half a thought exists (what's the half of the thought "apple")? If we're talking about physical reality/matter, however, it must take time, because of the limits of the speed of light.