2007-03-05 07:09:15 · 11 answers · asked by welsh lizard 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
People refer to different things when they mean time.
Some think of time as a source of change. Scientists describe time in terms of the motion of certain things. Mathematicians often refer to time as an axis to describe the distribution of materials. To some, time is a reference point. Each of these definitions has very subtle implications, and some are much more concerete physically than others.
Exactly what the nature of time is would (at this point) probably be a metaphysical question. Which isn't to say that there aren't scientists working on it... if one of them does come up with an inviolable description of the nature of time, then it may well end up being physics instead of metaphysics. Most things start as metaphysics before physics gets their hands on them.
It is possible - according to some theories I've heard bandied about - that though we can measure some of the effects of time, the stuff of time itself may be forever beyond our reach. If this is so, it may get to always stay metaphysics. We'll just have to see.
2007-03-05 08:26:28 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not. It's a property of space which started with the universe. Before the big bang there was no-thing: no space and no time. With the universe space-time was created and it will cease when the universe is no more.
Moreover, nothing is meta-physical. Metaphysics, from the Greek meaning 'above' or 'beyond' (meta) the physical, has its origins in Greek philosophy before the advent of modern science. Science proves that there is nothing which transcends the physical universe.
Therefore metaphysics is redundant as a subject with its own domain of enquiry. There are no meaningful or real metaphysical questions, although philosophy professors will keep asking them because it keeps them in their privileged university job!
2007-03-05 17:12:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time is time, metaphysics is metaphysics. Do they cross-dress? Does it make you happier ?, then go for it.
For some strange reason I sneaked a peek at some of the other answers (which I usually never do) and came up with my silly answer and I swear it makes as much sense as what I read. Never again!
2007-03-09 11:49:08 · answer #3 · answered by canron4peace 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lineal time doesn't really exist but our belief in it makes it seem to. Consequently the reality we create with our thoughts seems to be moving in a particular direction with what seems to have happened appearing to us as the past and what is going to happen seeming to be the future.
All of this is an illusion. there is in truth only one moment and we call it now for want of a better name. This moment that we call now is all that is real.
This is actually quite easy to prove to your self.
Touch your index fingers together last Tuesday . Go ahead do it.
Difficult isn't it.
Now touch them together next Wednesday. Still a problem isn't it.
Now touch them together right now.
That works a lot better.
Even if you actually waited till Wednesday you would still touch them together at a moment you would properly call now.
Now is in truth the only moment that you will ever have. The past is just a memory. The future no more than an educated guess.
Deja Vu is the result of a hiccup in our belief in Lineal time. As soon as the intellect/ego notices the mistake it corrects it so our belief in lineal time is not shattered.
This speedy repair work by the ego keeps that illusion of time working the way it was intended to work.
Love and blessings Don
2007-03-05 21:47:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
although we are constrained by the progress of time forward only..... we are able to utilize memories. The only part of time that we have is the now, however the now is influenced by both past and future.
so in a very real way the answer for me would be that time is partially metaphysical.
2007-03-05 16:34:34 · answer #5 · answered by dharp66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything is metaphysical at some level.
The identity conditions are metaphysical.
Quantifying clock time is not.
2007-03-05 15:37:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meditate a lot. Thereafter you will experience "timelessness" even in your everday life. Seems metaphysical to me. :))))
2007-03-05 17:20:51 · answer #7 · answered by drakke1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no way is methaphysical. time it's real but at the same place it does not count for us, time is endless, because everyday it is the same day, maybe the climate changes or people changes as well, but thruthly we live in a parale universe. we a part of whole pourporse and that's perfect.
2007-03-05 15:44:13 · answer #8 · answered by †○ αυяιтα вυттєяfℓу ¢σяℓєσиє ○† 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time is a necessity placed on a body.
2007-03-05 23:22:51 · answer #9 · answered by Julian 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it would seem that way. if there is only the 'now', then time is illusion and purely a fetish (or flaw) of human cognitive ability.
2007-03-05 15:29:51 · answer #10 · answered by SAINT G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋