Is there time? Or is it just an illusion?

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In summary, the conversation discussed the concept of time and its relation to physics. It was noted that time is a man-made construct and is based on repetitive movements such as the Earth's rotation around the sun. There were also questions raised about the nature of time and its role in the universe. However, the conversation concluded that in order to discuss time in a scientific manner, it must be precisely defined and grounded in empirical evidence.
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Summary:: Is there time?

Is there time? Or is it just an illusion !?
I read somewhere that there is no time like right and left or west and east that do not exist in space and are only man-made.

But in general, I believe in something that time is nothing more than repetitive movements !
For example, a year that is considered time is nothing more than a complete revolution of the Earth around the sun and is a repetitive motion. We have calculated a quarter of a complete revolution of the Earth around the sun for the seasons because the weather conditions change (note The time of the seasons has arisen from the change of weather conditions, and for the rest of the times it will surely have another cause).

But most obscure is what a repetitive motion a second can be to create a minute when it is repeated 60 more times and a clock 3600 more times.
We have to ask the watchmaker what the basis of what repetitive motion is the second? Do we know who made the watch? And where did he live? But we know that the individual watchmaker was very programmed.

This discussion of mine only requires correct thinking and logic, so please do not answer in a hurry and be sure to think about it.
 
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Hello and :welcome: !We do not speculate about philosophical questions on PF. There is no end to debates on such subjects. When it comes to philosophy, then even Nobel laureates aren't any better than you and me.

I suspect that there are already many threads on PF about the concept of time, so maybe you want to have a look at them first.

Time is what the clock measures, or in relativity, what is needed to describe events in space and time. There is obviously motion in our universe, and the speed of light is probably the most important constant of all. So it doesn't make much sense to call it an illusion if it is so crucial not only to physics but also to our daily life.

Maybe you meant something like this:
https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-...-questions-about-the-nature-of-time-20210831/

Unfortunately, this isn't an allowed source either. It is entertainment, not science. And I haven't found any references to scientific papers either.

@bhobba once said:
Fundamental to physics is the concept of an inertial frame where all points, directions, and instants of time are equivalent. That is independent of how you view time. Perform something, the same thing, the same thing again, over and over. Since all time instants are equivalent, they each take the same amount of time, whatever that is. We count it and hence can assign values to a time coordinate. That is all that is required to do physics. Unless experimentally testable, anything else is mostly just philosophical waffle. A few things like its relationship to entropy is not, and they are OK.

I like to add that the relation of entropy with thermodynamics also requires a scientific foundation in order to talk about it. And, no, Wikipedia is none. Those terms have to be precisely defined. Too many different interpretations of entropy are around (information, stochastic, physics).
 
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And with that, this thread is closed.
 
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1. What evidence suggests that time is an illusion?

There are several theories and experiments that suggest time may be an illusion. One theory is that time is a human construct and does not exist in the physical universe. Another theory, known as the block universe theory, suggests that past, present, and future all coexist simultaneously. Additionally, experiments such as the famous "twin paradox" demonstrate that time can appear to pass at different rates for different observers, suggesting that it may not be a constant force.

2. How does the concept of time relate to space?

Einstein's theory of relativity suggests that space and time are interconnected and can be thought of as a single entity known as space-time. This means that changes in space can also affect the passage of time and vice versa. For example, time can appear to pass slower in a strong gravitational field, such as near a black hole.

3. Is time travel possible?

The concept of time travel is still a subject of debate and speculation among scientists. While some theories, such as the aforementioned block universe theory, suggest that time travel may be possible, it is currently not within our technological capabilities. Additionally, the concept of time as a linear progression may make time travel seem impossible, as it would require traveling backwards in time which may be incompatible with our understanding of the universe.

4. How does the perception of time differ among individuals?

The perception of time can vary greatly among individuals and can be influenced by factors such as age, culture, and cognitive abilities. For example, time may seem to pass more slowly for children, as they are experiencing many new things and learning at a rapid pace. Additionally, cultural norms and societal expectations can also affect how individuals perceive and value time.

5. Can we manipulate or control time?

While we may not have the ability to physically manipulate time, we can control how we perceive and experience it. For example, our perception of time can be altered by our emotions, with time appearing to pass more quickly when we are engaged in enjoyable activities and more slowly when we are bored or anxious. Additionally, techniques such as mindfulness and meditation can help us be more present in the moment, potentially altering our perception of time.

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