The Philosophy of Time

Abstract

Einstein noted that time is relative while considering the perspectives of different observers. However, I argue that it is mathematically possible to have a more Newtonian concept of time. While the perception of time differs for each individual, the underlying time related to the universe as a whole can be modelled mathematically as an individual concept. That is, there can be a notion of universal time independent from the perceived movement of time. The philosophy of time has been debated from the beginning of philosophical thought. With the introduction of entropy and information theory from Shannon, new aspects of the dynamics of time can be defined that provides a philosophical background to these phenomena without requiring the introduction of alternative worlds or a multi-verse.

In this dissertation, I propose to demonstrate that time is not necessarily infinitely divisible; rather, it must occur in finite slices while simultaneously acting as a medium to update information throughout the universe. Though time may be relative, the change in entropy at each point provides perspective and is not merely a system that leaves time as a dimension that matters. As such, I argue that time is effectively a series of clock cycles running a large number of processes that occur in a linked system and that this series does not depend on infinite processes or external worlds. I demonstrate that several theories based on relativity theory are problematic. Notably, the idea of a black hole is based on a collapse into an infinite singularity, yet the slow-down of time can be demonstrated to accelerate faster than the movement of relative time. This means that, under Hawking radiation, the black hole must always devolve into nothingness before collapsing into an infinite singularity. By re-envisioning time, we can unlock new concepts in both philosophy and the physical sciences. The time problem links to infinities and incorporates some of the problems with Xeno's paradox. The notion of a universal time allows us to model time as a fundamental condition complemented by a separate model which describes how different rates of entropy change and information development affect the universe.

Keywords: Time, relativity, holographic universe, Shannon information, absolute time.