Here we go again
And to make things clear before there is "additional misreadings," i will declare that this is direct at Mr Robinson.
It has become apparent, that this is going nowhere. I guess, people don't understand the difference between a "conceptual object," and for a lack of a better phrasing, an "emperical object."
Yes, thoughts are objects in the sense that they are the contents of a person's mind/contemplative material. But separate yourself a bit from the politics of linguistic gymnastics.
"Time" is not at all like a "physical object" in the sense that it has "properties" like texture, and color. To a primative mind, a "rock," can be held in their hands, hence, the object has some form of reality that does not depend on having a "Westen Type Level of Education." Even a dog can pick up a rock with its mouth, and move to a different spot in his backyard. Hence the idea of an emperical reality that does not depend on a living orgasming having the power to think any highly "elevated thought."
"Time," on the other hand, requires a mind developed enough to the point where it can abstract, and thus, percieve, something that is without any actual "physical structure." In this sense, time is not an object reality in the same way fire buring your hand is. It is a concept, that allows us to "contextualise" some ideas-----ideas like "duration, intervals," and "speed."
This "change" is also called "time." Its as if you use the definition but don't like the word itself. From the dictionary:
Are you to tell me, that a concept can't have a practical purpose? My useage of language in general doesn't say anything other than it is the tool by which i express my thoughts. From this perspective, i see no relevance at all in your above comments.
-A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future.
-An interval separating two points on this continuum; a duration: a long time since the last war; passed the time reading.
-A number, as of years, days, or minutes, representing such an interval: ran the course in a time just under four minutes.
-A similar number representing a specific point on this continuum, reckoned in hours and minutes: checked her watch and recorded the time, 6:17 A.M.
-A system by which such intervals are measured or such numbers are reckoned: solar time.
You dragging in the above expressions from a book, does not really tell me anything. But since you feel there's relevance in making the above reference, ok, i will play ball with you.
How do you know, or understand, ideas like, the present, the past, and the future?
Is it not by observing with your very own eyes things like something happening, hence, in the present tense occurance? And once its done, is it not then in the past tense that we mean when we talk of the past? And something that could happen, in the future, what does that mean? What, that something could happen, such the Earth running into the sun, but it hasnt as of yet, or if you are cooking something in the microwave, the completion of your cooking? So the idea of a future then is what? A potential change in the way physical objects are currently related to one an another?
Now let's break things down even further:
When we speak of things occurring, what exactly is it that we are speaking of?
Let me guess, an event?
Ok, what is an event?
Let me see, a change?
Ok, what changes?
Lets see an object?
Ok, how has the object changed?
Lets see, the object was somehow affected by another object?
Ok, in what ways can an object be affected by another object?
Lets see, by being either, altered, or relocated?
Ok, so what then can we say about the changes that can occur in the canvas of physical things"? What, that objects can give the mind an idea about different aspects of what is otherwise known as an event, or a change?
Ok, in what way can we get the ideas of Time related conceptual things? Answer: duration, context, speed, past, present, and future notions.
But what do all the above relate to?
Answer: to an interaction of some kind amongst objects.
And what is an object?
Answer, anything that is more than a thought, and that is the opposite of "nothingness."
But aside from physical things existing, can you ever get an idea for a lack of a better word, "Time." Answer: NO. Hence, time, is an abstraction. Nothing more.
It also appears that you make no distinction between the CONCEPT of time and the MEASUREMENT of time. This may also be the source of the confusion.
I'll admit though to not reading the whole thread - maybe tonight.
The measurements themselves are a part of a concept. Sort of hard to get an idea of time differences without the mathematical symbols. Kinda hard to talk about thoughts without language, don't you think? But isn't language to a considerable degree a conceptual scheme?
And yes, i gathered you didnt read what i wrote. That was not news to me.