Loni Walker 12/5/2013 TPHIL358
The Illusion of the Concept of Time
Introduction
Time... "What then is time? If no one asks me about it, I know; but if someone asks me to explain it, I don't know."(XI.xiv.17) Yeah, what exactly is time? 'Time' can be classified as an elusive concept that is actually really rather hard to explain. Time is an ever shifting and changing concept. The definition of time has been explored throughout history and has not come to a hundred percent true conclusion. And yet even in our own lives it is apparent that the perception of time has changed throughout history. So, is there a true definition of time or is it something that we must define for ourselves? If you asked Rene Descartes he would probably say yes. But to ask 'what is time?' is a loaded question because there are actually factors that affect each individual's personal definition of time.
I think that the fact that time can be personally defined sort of proves that it really is a shifting concept. There are many factors that affect one's opinion on the concept of time, but I am just going to talk about a few that I found to be quite significant.
"What is time?"
Although time is an elusive hard to define concept, it is still a good topic to converse about because of that exact reason. In Confessions, Augustine asks the big question, 'what is time?'(XI.xiv.17) Through Augustine's reasoning we learn about a the complexities of trying to comprehend the elusive concept of time. Like I mentioned before, Augustine notes that everyone thinks they know what time is until they are asked, and then they cannot explain it. Augustine says that time cannot be explained because it was created by God when he...