Is time an illusion?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter L Drago
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Einstein Time
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of time, particularly whether it is an illusion, as suggested by concepts in Einstein's relativity. Participants explore the implications of time dilation, the distinction between different types of time, and the philosophical aspects of time's reality versus its perception.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that time is relative according to Einstein's theory, while others challenge this interpretation, arguing that simultaneity is what is relative, not time itself.
  • One participant distinguishes between coordinate time, which is relative and considered a convention, and proper time, which is invariant and measurable.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that if time is an illusion, then motion must also be an illusion, raising philosophical questions about the nature of movement and reality.
  • Concerns are raised about the clarity and accuracy of earlier claims regarding time dilation and the definition of "actual time," with calls for specific examples and calculations to support assertions.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the philosophical implications drawn from Einstein's statements, suggesting that interpretations may not align with established physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; multiple competing views remain regarding the nature of time, its relativity, and the implications of Einstein's theories.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the definitions of time and the assumptions underlying the discussion, particularly regarding the measurement of time and the interpretation of Einstein's philosophical statements.

L Drago
Messages
93
Reaction score
17
TL;DR
According to Einstein, time is relative.
According to Einstein's relativity, all intertial frame of motion is relative and time is also relative. Let's consider Person A is sitting on a chair and is at rest with respect to surface on Earth and Person B is travelling in 80 percent speed of light with respect to planet Earth and Person C travelling at 90 percent speed of light with respect to planet Earth. Time dilation will be different for these three observers. Dilated time = Actual time / power root of (1-(v²/c²)). Dilated time is different for these. Time is the fourth dimension and curvature in that Space time coordinate is also caused my mass and GR time dilation can be observed.

Hence, is time just an illusion and the distinction between the past, the present and future is also but a stubborn illusion?
 
  • Skeptical
Likes   Reactions: PeroK
Physics news on Phys.org
L Drago said:
TL;DR Summary: According to Einstein, time is relative.
Einstein did not say that time is relative, he said that simultaneity is relative. The time along any timelike worldline is invariant and in no way relative; and anything else that we call "time" cannot be directly measured but only calculated based on assumptions about simultaneity.

And speaking of time.... It is really way past time for you to stop posting and start studying so that you will know what you're talking about when you do post.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Orodruin, phinds and robphy
L Drago said:
TL;DR Summary: According to Einstein, time is relative.

Hence, is time just an illusion and the distinction between the past, the present and future is also but a stubborn illusion?
In relativity there are two different types of time. One is called coordinate time, and the other is called proper time.

Coordinate time is the one that is relative. I wouldn’t call it an illusion. I would call it a convention.

Proper time is invariant. It is not relative and all observers and frames agree on it. It is physical and measurable. I wouldn’t call it an illusion either.

The causal past and future of any given event is also an invariant physical fact. The present of any event is a convention, which I again would not call an illusion either.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters, Orodruin and robphy
L Drago said:
Hence, is time just an illusion and the distinction between the past, the present and future is also but a stubborn illusion?
Motion and time are equivalent categories.
Without time, movement cannot be defined.
Time cannot be defined without movement.
If time is an illusion then motion is also an illusion.
I can hardly imagine any philosophical concept in which movement is only an illusion.

Edit:
If time is an illusion, then motion is also an illusion.
The activity I am currently engaged in, typing, is a kind of movement.
So this post of mine is just an illusion. Wow ...
 
Last edited:
  • Skeptical
Likes   Reactions: jbriggs444 and Motore
L Drago said:
According to Einstein's relativity, all intertial frame of motion is relative and time is also relative
No. All inertial frames are equivalent, all time is not relative. The time I measure on my wristwatch, for example, is the same for all regardless of their inertial motion. As I told you before, you have to think in terms of events and the intervals that elapse between them. You can't be an armchair commentator without understanding the play-by-play.

L Drago said:
Let's consider Person A is sitting on a chair and is at rest with respect to surface on Earth and Person B is travelling in 80 percent speed of light with respect to planet Earth and Person C travelling at 90 percent speed of light with respect to planet Earth. Time dilation will be different for these three observers. Dilated time = Actual time / power root of (1-(v²/c²)). Dilated time is different for these.
Word for word the same comment you recently made in another thread. You ignored my responses there and now you just parrot the same comment.

What do you mean by actual time? Between what events are you measuring the dilated time by Persons B and C? Can you give us a specific example with the calculated times? This is what I'm talking about when I tell you you can't be an armchair commentator without understanding the play-by-play.

L Drago said:
Time is the fourth dimension and curvature in that Space time coordinate is also caused my mass and GR time dilation can be observed.
A word salad.

L Drago said:
Hence, is time just an illusion and the distinction between the past, the present and future is also but a stubborn illusion?
No. Leave out the "hence" and you have paraphrased one or two of Einstein's quotes, but by including the word "hence" you are implying that you know what led him to those conclusions. In truth, it's not clear to scholars what he meant by those philosophical statements. It is certainly presumptuous by you or anyone else to claim you know what physics led to them. It may in fact be that there is none, and Einstein felt no need for there to be any.

Note: Edited for clarity.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ferxz10
This thread is now closed.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: renormalize

Similar threads

  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
344
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 65 ·
3
Replies
65
Views
12K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
13K
  • · Replies 74 ·
3
Replies
74
Views
5K