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Single Idea 1905

[filed under theme 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 3. Parts of Time / c. Intervals ]

Full Idea

Time is clearly divisible (into past, present and future), but it can't be, because a divisible thing is measured by some part of itself (divisions of length), but the two parts must coincide to make the measurement (e.g. present must coincide with past).

Gist of Idea

How can time be divisible if we can't compare one length of time with another?

Source

Sextus Empiricus (Outlines of Pyrrhonism [c.180], III.143)

Book Ref

Sextus Empiricus: 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism', ed/tr. Bury,R.G. [Prometheus 1990], p.236

The 4 ideas with the same theme [brief sections in the passing of time]:

22750 Time is divisible, into past, present and future [Sext.Empiricus]
1905 How can time be divisible if we can't compare one length of time with another? [Sext.Empiricus]
22944 The primitive parts of time are intervals, not instants [Le Poidevin]
18927 Surely if things extend over time, then time itself must be extended? [Cameron]