Single Idea 22959

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / d. Time as measure]

Full Idea

Time is a number of change in respect of the before and after. So time is not change but in the way in which change has a number. We discern the greater and the less by number, and greater and less change by time. Hence time is a kind of number.

Gist of Idea

Time is not change, but the number we associate with change

Source

Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 219b01)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Physics Books III and IV', ed/tr. Hussey,Edward [OUP 1983], p.44


A Reaction

This is Aristotle's firmest assertion of the nature of time. It seems to be false to say that we need number in order to discern size (e.g. seeing who was given the biggest slice of cake). Surely we discern time before we measure it?

Related Ideas

Idea 22963 We measure change by time, and time by change, as they are interdefined [Aristotle]

Idea 22967 It is unclear whether time depends on the existence of soul [Aristotle]