Robinson's Podcast
236 - David Albert: A Masterclass on Time’s Arrow
Dec 2, 2024
David Albert, a distinguished Philosophy Professor at Columbia University, dives into the conundrum of time’s arrow. He explores the tension between past and future in both physics and everyday life. Discover insights on entropy and thermodynamics that underline why we remember the past but not the future. David unravels the complexities of time asymmetry, discussing how the laws of quantum physics challenge our understanding and perceptions. This enlightening conversation blends philosophy and science, prompting listeners to rethink their relationship with time.
02:02:11
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast explores the philosophical implications of time's arrow, focusing on the asymmetry between our memories of the past and our uncertainty about the future.
- David Albert discusses the role of entropy and the second law of thermodynamics as key factors that shape our understanding of time directionality in natural processes.
Deep dives
Memories and Time Asymmetry
Memories are fundamentally tied to our experience of the past, raising the philosophical question of why we cannot recall the future. This issue is not merely grammatical or definitional; it requires a physical explanation. Recognizing the distinction between past and future as a time asymmetry invites exploration into the underlying physical laws governing this phenomenon. The asymmetry suggests that while memories can only originate from past events, the concept of potential future events remains elusive.
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