Robinson's Podcast 256 - Tim Maudlin: A Masterclass on the Philosophy of Time
Aug 3, 2025
Tim Maudlin, a Professor of Philosophy at NYU and founder of the John Bell Institute, engages in a fascinating discussion about the philosophy of time. He tackles misconceptions surrounding simultaneity and explores the relativity of duration. The conversation delves into whether time is fundamental, its behavior at quantum scales, and the philosophical implications of time travel and black holes. With humor and depth, Maudlin and Robinson challenge traditional views, inviting listeners to rethink their understanding of this elusive dimension.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Time is Fundamental, Not Composite
- Time is fundamental and not made up of anything else, unlike composite objects.
- Understanding time involves grasping its structural role in accounting for derivative phenomena.
Relativity Refutes Absolute Simultaneity
- Everyday thinking assumes absolute simultaneity, meaning global moments of time exist everywhere simultaneously.
- Relativity disproves absolute simultaneity, implying there's no fact about what happens 'right now' elsewhere.
Time's Direction Is Physically Real
- All major physical theories agree time is fundamental though they differ on its structure.
- Time has a direction, which is intrinsic and not an illusion; physics supports this directionality.
