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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
37 ideas
from 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism'
1878
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Water that seems lukewarm can seem very hot on inflamed skin
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1879
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Sickness is perfectly natural to the sick, so their natural perceptions should carry some weight
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1880
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Some actions seem shameful when sober but not when drunk
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1881
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The same oar seems bent in water and straight when out of it
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1870
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The basis of scepticism is the claim that every proposition has an equal opposing proposition
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1882
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The necks of doves appear different in colour depending on the angle of viewing
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1871
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Whether honey is essentially sweet may be doubted, as it is a matter of judgement rather than appearance
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1872
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The same tower appears round from a distance, but square close at hand
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1873
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If we press the side of an eyeball, objects appear a different shape
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1874
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How can we judge between our impressions and those of other animals, when we ourselves are involved?
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1876
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If we enjoy different things, presumably we receive different impressions
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1877
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If we had no hearing or sight, we would assume no sound or sight exists, so there may be unsensed qualities
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1884
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If we utter three steps of a logical argument, they never exist together
[Sext.Empiricus]
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12196
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A valid hypothetical syllogism is 'that which does not begin with a truth and end with a falsehood'
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1885
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Proof moves from agreed premises to a non-evident inference
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1886
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If you don't view every particular, you may miss the one which disproves your universal induction
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1887
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You cannot divide anything into many parts, because after the first division you are no longer dividing the original
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1889
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If an argument has an absurd conclusion, we should not assent to the absurdity, but avoid the absurd argument
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1890
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We distinguish ambiguities by seeing what is useful
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1883
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How can the intellect know if sensation is reliable if it doesn't directly see external objects?
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1902
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Since Socrates either died when he was alive (a contradiction) or died when he was dead (meaningless), he didn't die
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1894
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Some say that causes are physical, some say not
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1903
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If motion and rest are abolished, so is time
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1904
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Time must be unlimited, but past and present can't be non-existent, and can't be now, so time does not exist
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1905
|
How can time be divisible if we can't compare one length of time with another?
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1895
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Causes are either equal to the effect, or they link equally with other causes, or they contribute slightly
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1896
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If there were no causes then everything would have been randomly produced by everything
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1910
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With us it is shameful for men to wear earrings, but among Syrians it is considered noble
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1897
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Knowing an effect results from a cause means knowing that the cause belongs with the effect, which is circular
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1911
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Even if all known nations agree on a practice, there may be unknown nations which disagree
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1898
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Cause can't exist before effect, or exist at the same time, so it doesn't exist
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1891
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How can we agree on the concept of God, unless we agree on his substance or form or place?
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1892
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The existence of God can't be self-evident or everyone would have agreed on it, so it needs demonstration
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1899
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Does the original self-mover push itself from behind, or pull itself from in front?
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1900
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If time and place are infinitely divided, it becomes impossible for movement ever to begin
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1901
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If all atoms, times and places are the same, everything should move with equal velocity
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1893
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If God foresaw evil he would presumably prevent it, and if he only foresees some things, why those things?
[Sext.Empiricus]
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