How 'big' is the present moment in terms of time?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the philosophical inquiry into the size of the present moment in time. Participants explore the concept of the present as a point between the past and future, using metaphors such as a pen on paper to illustrate the idea. The conversation highlights the subjective nature of defining the present, indicating that interpretations vary widely and may not lend themselves to scientific analysis. Ultimately, the thread was locked due to its philosophical nature, which diverged from scientific discourse.

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  • Understanding of basic concepts in philosophy, particularly metaphysics.
  • Familiarity with the distinctions between past, present, and future in temporal discussions.
  • Knowledge of the implications of infinitesimal quantities in mathematics.
  • Awareness of the limitations of scientific inquiry in philosophical contexts.
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  • Research the philosophical implications of time in works by philosophers like Henri Bergson.
  • Explore the mathematical concept of infinitesimals and their relevance in calculus.
  • Investigate the theories of time in physics, particularly Einstein's theory of relativity.
  • Examine how different cultures perceive and define the concept of the present moment.
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Philosophers, students of metaphysics, and anyone interested in the nature of time and its perception will benefit from this discussion.

Gondur
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Time can be divided three ways
Time in the future
Time in the present
Time in the past

We are living in the 'present'.

My question: how 'big' is this present time?

It might help if you think of a pen placed on a white sheet of paper. The pen represents our present time. The white space above the pen is the future, below is the past.

So how 'big' is the present time?

i.e. is it 0.0000000000000001 seconds

or even 0.00000... infinitesimally small?

Thanks.
 
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Gondur said:
So how 'big' is the present time?

what do you think and why ?

Warning, this thread topic is bordering on philosophy and may be closed
 
That's not really a scientific question. Everyone in different contexts can define what they mean by the present. That makes it a matter of language, not science.
 
On second thought. @davenn was right. There is no way this thread is likely to lead to scientific discussion, so I locked it.
 
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