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Time Machine
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It was suggested that this belongs in philosophy so I have moved as I was enjoying the thread.
Anyone have any views?
...Is the universe an abstract concept. Is time an abstract concept?
Originally Posted by TheAlkemist View Post
Yes and yes.
An abstract concept = A mental construct. Not concrete reality or an object.
Mental concepts are constructed (with 2 or more objects). Concepts are derived from the relationships between objects.
In science, the relationship between objects are recorded by measurement. Measurements are used to determine (and express) the QUANTITY of an OBJECT. Eg., that brick is 10 KG. How many seconds is the bricks?
You can't use time as a measurement for concrete objects. Only as an abstract concept for measuring relationships.
"Time is a non-abstract event"
I don't understand what this means. In physics, isn't an event something that needs to be defined--qualified and quantified?
Unquote:
Trying to find seconds in bricks is as confusing as trying to find a weight in time. An abstract concept indeed.
If, however you wanted to know how long the bricks will last, a measurement of time would be appropriate. The measurement is a concept but the passing of time is a physicality.
As I am in layman's terms, please excuse any deviation from actual physics.
Your earlier comment mentioned love and beauty being abstract concepts as well as the universe and time. This rather deviates into the realm of human social interaction, the study of which making physics seem as though childs play. Admittedly I have much to learn in both fields especially where talking to physicists.
An abstract concept = A mental construct. Not concrete reality or an object.
This does not describe the universe as observed by me or not the bits I can observe anyway. My universe is a very much concrete and other carbon based reality of objects.
I believe that the event of time is being defined--qualified and quantified. Here are some links that I found really interesting. I am aware that I am off course in that your question is about gravity, however it would seem that time and gravity are linked.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/sc...e-2088195.html
http://www.brighthub.com/science/spa...#ixzz11ulsv9o7
http://www.astroengine.com/?p=24201
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Anyone have any views?
...Is the universe an abstract concept. Is time an abstract concept?
Originally Posted by TheAlkemist View Post
Yes and yes.
An abstract concept = A mental construct. Not concrete reality or an object.
Mental concepts are constructed (with 2 or more objects). Concepts are derived from the relationships between objects.
In science, the relationship between objects are recorded by measurement. Measurements are used to determine (and express) the QUANTITY of an OBJECT. Eg., that brick is 10 KG. How many seconds is the bricks?
You can't use time as a measurement for concrete objects. Only as an abstract concept for measuring relationships.
"Time is a non-abstract event"
I don't understand what this means. In physics, isn't an event something that needs to be defined--qualified and quantified?
Unquote:
Trying to find seconds in bricks is as confusing as trying to find a weight in time. An abstract concept indeed.
If, however you wanted to know how long the bricks will last, a measurement of time would be appropriate. The measurement is a concept but the passing of time is a physicality.
As I am in layman's terms, please excuse any deviation from actual physics.
Your earlier comment mentioned love and beauty being abstract concepts as well as the universe and time. This rather deviates into the realm of human social interaction, the study of which making physics seem as though childs play. Admittedly I have much to learn in both fields especially where talking to physicists.
An abstract concept = A mental construct. Not concrete reality or an object.
This does not describe the universe as observed by me or not the bits I can observe anyway. My universe is a very much concrete and other carbon based reality of objects.
I believe that the event of time is being defined--qualified and quantified. Here are some links that I found really interesting. I am aware that I am off course in that your question is about gravity, however it would seem that time and gravity are linked.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/sc...e-2088195.html
http://www.brighthub.com/science/spa...#ixzz11ulsv9o7
http://www.astroengine.com/?p=24201
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