

#35 – Julian Barbour and Samuel Kuypers: The Nature of Time
5 snips Sep 15, 2024
Julian Barbour, a renowned physicist known for his exploration of time, joins theoretical physicist Samuel Kuypers in a captivating discussion. They delve into the idea that time is not absolute, but shaped by moments. The duo contrasts Newton’s views with modern theories, exploring shape dynamics and cosmic evolution. They tackle entropy and the universe's heat death, while pondering free will versus determinism. Barbour's unexpected passion for Shakespeare adds a creative twist, enriching their philosophical reflections on existence and reality.
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Time in the Instant
- Instants of time exist as shapes of the whole universe.
- Duration is not inherent but something we create to understand the order of these shapes.
House in Portugal
- Julian Barbour reflects on a dilapidated house in Portugal.
- Its state implied a history, supporting his idea that "time is in the instant."
Newton's Contamination
- Newton's core theory is his second law of motion.
- He contaminated it with absolute time, space, and scale, obscuring its creative nature.