Single Idea 22956

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / i. Denying time]

Full Idea

Some of time has been and is not, some of it is to be and is not yet. …But it would seem to be impossible that what is composed of things that are not should participate in being.

Gist of Idea

How can time exist, when it is composed of what has ceased to be and is yet to be?

Source

Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 217b33)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Physics Books III and IV', ed/tr. Hussey,Edward [OUP 1983], p.41


A Reaction

This is his opening remark in the discussion of time, and he seems to be endorsing it, since he thinks of time as a form of measurement of change.

Related Idea

Idea 16693 Time has parts, but the now is not one of them, and time is not composed of nows [Aristotle]