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Single Idea 12487

[filed under theme 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 3. Parts of Time / d. Measuring time ]

Full Idea

Two successive lengths of duration, however measured, can never be demonstrated to be equal.

Gist of Idea

We can never show that two successive periods of time were equal

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.14.21)

Book Ref

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.190

A Reaction

Nice thought. You can't lay the durations next to one another, the way you can lengths. You can only count the clock ticks, but not be sure whether their speed remained constant.

The 5 ideas with the same theme [how we measure intervals and transits of time]:

22963 We measure change by time, and time by change, as they are interdefined [Aristotle]
22968 Circular motion is the most obvious measure of time, and especially the celestial sphere [Aristotle]
17015 If there is no uniform motion, we cannot exactly measure time [Newton]
12487 We can never show that two successive periods of time were equal [Locke]
22882 We use calendars for the order of events, and clocks for their passing [Bardon]