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Single Idea 22750

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

Full Idea

Time cannot be indivisible, since it is divided into past, present and future.

Gist of Idea

Time is divisible, into past, present and future

Source

Sextus Empiricus (Against the Physicists (two books) [c.180], II.193)

Book Ref

Sextus Empiricus: 'Against the Physicists/Against the Ethicists', ed/tr. Bury,R.G. [Harvard Loeb 1997], p.307

A Reaction

Does the fact that you can name the parts of something prove that it is divisible? Do electrons have left and right-hand sides?

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]