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Single Idea 1905

[from 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism' by Sextus Empiricus, in 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 Reference

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