Does Time Really Flow Backwards?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the philosophical and theoretical implications of time flow, questioning whether time flows backwards from the future to the past. Participants explore the definitions of "time flow" and its dependence on observation, concluding that the perception of time is influenced by our movement through it. The conversation highlights the distinction between events and time, emphasizing that while events may seem to flow in reverse, time itself is directed from the past to the future. The analogy of walking on a treadmill is used to illustrate these concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts related to time and motion.
  • Familiarity with philosophical discussions on the nature of time.
  • Knowledge of vector fields and their implications in physics.
  • Awareness of temporal directionality in physics, particularly in relation to massive particles.
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  • Research the concept of time in physics, focusing on Einstein's theory of relativity.
  • Explore philosophical theories of time, including presentism and eternalism.
  • Study the implications of time-like curves in general relativity.
  • Investigate the concept of temporal directionality and its effects on particle physics.
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Philosophers, physicists, and anyone interested in the theoretical aspects of time and its implications in both science and philosophy.

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What if time actually flows backwards?
Since the next 10 minutes in future will eventually become the past, does that mean time actually flow backwards from future to past? This is assuming that the present doesn't move from the past to the future, and time is flowing through an unchanging present. Just a random thought.
 
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How do you define "time flow"? Does any observation depend on that definition? If not, it is pointless to discuss it.

Since the next 10 minutes in future will eventually become the past, does that mean time actually flow backwards from future to past?
Or "events flow from future to past, time flows from past to future"?
 
"events flow from future to past, time flows from past to future"?
This is exactly what I was wondering! Thanks for the clarification!
 
One can construct past directed time-like vector fields but massive particles follow future directed time-like curves.
 
?siht ekil epyt ot deen ew dluoW
 
but the whole reason the future becomes the past is b/c we're moving in time. If you walked down the road you wouldn't say the road moved behind you...
 
Viracocha said:
If you walked down the road you wouldn't say the road moved behind you...
If you walked on a tread mill, would you say the tread moved in front of you?
 

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