Does time exist outside one's mind?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the philosophical question of whether time exists independently of human perception. Participants explore the nature of time, its relationship to human understanding, and the implications of an observer's role in defining time.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the human mind has evolved to interpret the world through concepts of distance, space, and time, questioning if time exists outside of an observer's perception.
  • One participant emphasizes that time has multiple meanings and asks for clarification on which aspect of time is being discussed.
  • Another participant suggests that time exists in their mind as a multidimensional structure, although they acknowledge that personal theories may not be encouraged in the forum.
  • A participant argues that humans receive information about distance and time through photons, asserting that these are the only immediate realities we know, and that all other concepts arise from our ability to find patterns in this information.
  • One participant asserts that time exists independently of observers, using the example of the Moon's orbit around the Earth to illustrate that events occur regardless of human observation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence of time outside of human perception, with some suggesting it does exist independently, while others focus on the subjective interpretation of time. No consensus is reached on the nature of time or its existence outside of observers.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments depend on the definitions of time being used, and there are unresolved questions about the implications of observer-dependent versus independent time.

BeXti
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In other words, has the human mind merely evolved to understand the world in terms of distance and space and time? Does time exist outside of an observer?
 
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In my understanding, thanks to Dalespam, it is neither prudent nor intelligent to devolve over discussions of *existence*, but I am neither.

Time has many meanings. Which meaning are you talking about.
 
time exists in my mind as a multidimensional structure, but then personal theories are not encouraged here.
...reminds me of college.
 
The human mind interprets and attaches meaning to photon data. Photons deliver information about distance and time only. Each tiny truncated piece of wildly mixed data arrives at the speed of light as part of a never repeated multitudinous storm of photons. So, my answer to your question: We receive information about changes of distance with respect to durations of time only. Distance and time are the only immediate reality that we know. All else takes form from our amazing ability to find patterns amidst the storm and attach meanings to those patterns. We do this amazing feat using information about distance and time only.

James
 
BeXti said:
In other words, has the human mind merely evolved to understand the world in terms of distance and space and time? Does time exist outside of an observer?

I'm going to have to say yes. If we weren't around to witness the Moon orbit the Earth, what would happen? It would still orbit the Earth, just as it has for billions of years.
 

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