Time
Chapter 1 - Worldview
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Welcome to the Time page
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Definition of (fysical) time
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The unstoppable increase of unusable energy (entropy), postulated by classical thermodynamics, is the criterion for distinguishing between the past, the present and the future.
Measuring the change in the amount of entropy tells you the order in which events occur: the lower-entropy state comes first, the higher-entropy state next, the total-entropy state last.
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Key take-aways from the deep dive
- Time is about our ability to notice change
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Deep dive
We rely on Carlo Rovelli, the theoretical physicist known for his work on quantum gravity and author of "The Order of Time," where he explores the concept of time philosophically and scientifically. He presents time as a subjective and emergent phenomenon deeply intertwined with our perception of the universe. Here are some key aspects of Rovelli's description of time:
Temporal Relationalism suggests that time is a relational concept rather than an absolute one. According to this view, time is not an intrinsic property of the universe but emerges from the relationships between objects and events. In other words, time is defined by the succession of events and their relationships.
He argues that our perception of time as a continuous, flowing entity is a construct of our consciousness rather than a fundamental aspect of reality. Time is akin to a series of discrete moments or events with no inherent flow. Our sense of temporal continuity arises from the succession of these moments and our ability to perceive change.
Time and entropy, a measure of disorder or randomness in a system, connect. The increase of entropy over time, as dictated by the second law of thermodynamics, provides a directionality to the arrow of time. In this view, the asymmetry between past and future arises from increased entropy, as systems tend to evolve from lower to higher entropy states.
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