Single Idea 22958

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 3. Parts of Time / b. Instants]

Full Idea

We take it that it is impossible for the nows to be adjoining one another, as it is for a point to be adjoining a point.

Gist of Idea

Nows can't be linked together, any more than points on a line

Source

Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 218a18)

Book Reference

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


A Reaction

This implies that instants are abstractions, rather than physical realities. Aristotle rejects atoms, so presumably sees prime matter as the underlying uniter of matter. Insistence on linking the smallest parts leads to modern physics.

Related Idea

Idea 22966 The present moment is a link (of past to future), and also a limit (of past and of future) [Aristotle]