Full Idea
Some of time has been and is not, some of it is to be and is not yet. …But it would seem to be impossible that what is composed of things that are not should participate in being.
Gist of Idea
How can time exist, when it is composed of what has ceased to be and is yet to be?
Source
Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 217b33)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'Physics Books III and IV', ed/tr. Hussey,Edward [OUP 1983], p.41
A Reaction
This is his opening remark in the discussion of time, and he seems to be endorsing it, since he thinks of time as a form of measurement of change.
Related Idea
Idea 16693 Time has parts, but the now is not one of them, and time is not composed of nows [Aristotle]