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Philosopher's Zone

Why time doesn't pass

May 30, 2024
Heather Dyke, Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Otago NZ, discusses the illusion of time passing. Topics include A theory vs. B theory, metaphysical significance of the present moment, language's influence on temporal understanding, subjective time experience, and memories shaping time perception.
28:34

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Time may not pass but rather exist stably in all moments simultaneously.
  • Accepting a static time theory promotes a sense of responsibility and conscious decision-making for the future.

Deep dives

A Theory vs. B Theory of Time

The podcast delves into the contrasting A theory and B theory of time. The A theory views time as dynamic and flowing, with a privileged present moment. In contrast, the B theory denies a mind-independent distinction between past, present, and future, suggesting all moments coexist without flow. The A theory aligns with common sense views, while the B theory aligns with scientific thinking, particularly special theory of relativity.

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