Is Time Linear?

[Zephyr]

This came up in my philosophy class last week,
We got into a huge debate about it.

Is time linear?

Are all things predestined to happen, we're just simply living in 'the past' and our futures are already decided for us? Does everything happen for a reason so that we stay on the time line?

Or

Is time more flexible, meaning that things arn't predestined, and all of the choices that we make change the future?

Any other thoughts/comments?

-----------------------------------

Personally I think that time is more flexible,
That everything that we do changes the future.
Our free will allows us to make our own futures,
Rather than being stuck on a forever straight time line that can't change.
Life is like one of those 'do-over' novels,
If one path leads you astray,
Then you change your actions and get yourself out of the bad stuff,
Such as going to college after many years after deciding not to.

[Donkey]

I can't think properly about this. But something just makes me think that it is linear and that everything is going to happen. That's how I think of it, but...

Can't word it.

[Sage]

I dislike the idea that I'm not in control of my life.

[Underground_Network]

I think pineapples are grenades.

But they're also fruits too.

I.e.

I think time could be seen as both things.

I think time is linear in the sense it moves constantly forward and you can't alter TIME itself, but you can alter what you DO in time. Let me put it this way, you aren't predestined to do one thing, but "predestination" [to an extent] is real. There are numerous routes you are "predestined" to take, but you DON'T HAVE TO take all of them. I'd explain more, but I can't really think atm.

[theOperaGhost]

I think time is flexible. I'm not sure if time is the correct term. By time I'm thinking something else. Time is relative.

I don't think the future is predetermined.

[andrewgonzalez]

I think time is predestined, but we can change it with what we do.

[Curthose93]

That question seems to be more about the ideas of destiny and fate rather than the concept of time...

So, my answer is neither, because time does not exist, and neither does destiny.

[Oblivion]

I dislike the idea that I'm not in control of my life.

Agreed.
If I knew time were linear (if it were) I would go crazy most probably.

[pcd31]

I think the choices we make change the future. It's up to you if you want to go read a book. It wasn't predetermined that you would or wouldn't read it.

[Donkey]

Agreed.
If I knew time were linear (if it were) I would go crazy most probably.
Actually.. sig quoted.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Time is both linear and "flexible" so to speak. By folding time into the dimension above it, you reach the theoretical "sixth" dimension in space. The fourth dimension (time) itself is just a dimension that we can only experience in small "steps" i.e. we can experience life from birth to death, but if we could actually "see" the fourth dimension, people would look like infinitely wiggling snakes where at one end they are a fetus and the other end dead and in their grave! So... it might be a good thing that we can't "see" the entirety of the fourth dimension at once.... it would be weird.

[Antares]

I believe in destiny and in god in this context.
I think that everything happens for a reason and you have a course that is preset for you because god or someone knows how your life is supposed to end up. So if you follow your gut and let things happen, then you will follow the course.
So yes. I think that time is linear.

[Curthose93]

Time is both linear and "flexible" so to speak. By folding time into the dimension above it, you reach the theoretical "sixth" dimension in space. The fourth dimension (time) itself is just a dimension that we can only experience in small "steps" i.e. we can experience life from birth to death, but if we could actually "see" the fourth dimension, people would look like infinitely wiggling snakes where at one end they are a fetus and the other end dead and in their grave! So... it might be a good thing that we can't "see" the entirety of the fourth dimension at once.... it would be weird.


HTF can you fold a dimension?

[Reality]

I believe in fate, and that everything happens for a reason. Of course you can alter what happens in the future, or at least somewhere down the line and there are multiple "paths" - but the fact is, you'll only go down one in your lifetime.

If you persue what you want - i.e. becoming a cop, or a doctor, then you'll do the neccesary courses and such to become one. But then some people give up on it, fail or simply don't ever get around to doing it. Why? Because in it's own way, they're not destined to do that.

If you date a girl three years and then you break-up or drift, then it's obviously not meant to work, somehow. It's kinda really hard to explain, but yeah, you get me.

The fact you can't change the past, or in some ways the present, makes me think this way. Although I believe you do in some ways make your own futures.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

HTF can you fold a dimension?

Damned if I know! If we found out, then travelling vast distances would be a piece of cake (forget lightspeed, instantaneous travel kicks ass!).

[INFERNO]

Time is linear in the sense it moves only in one direction: forward and at the same rate.

It is "flexible" in that what we do one moment can impact the next moment, that I agree with. However, what you do in each moment does not change the linear path of time. You are in control of what you do, how you do it, when, why, for whom, etc... . The linearality of time has nothing to do with changing or stopping that.

It is analogous to a straight highway where you travel at the same speed all the time. You can change lines, you can go onto an off-ramp, whatever. But, you cannot slow down (time stops) and you cannot go backwards (time reverses). Time has no influence on you changing lines, you do that at your own decision.

[Modus Operandi]

This question depends on wether time travel is possible or not. Einstein's laws e.g. E=mc2, allow for time travel to be possible. There is a very spooky phenomenon that involves a particle(this may not be entirely accurate, im kind of tired right now)that is in one place and can INSTANTANEOUSLY(sry for spelling) go to another. String theory has something to do with it. But no we are not predistined

[Camazotz]

No, I do not believe in destiny, fate, etc. Time is time. We change it by our actions. The world wasn't laid out and our decisions weren't made for us. We control what we do. Since there's nothing we can do to find out if there is "fate" I say there isn't, but it's very possible there is.

[INFERNO]

This question depends on wether time travel is possible or not. Einstein's laws e.g. E=mc2, allow for time travel to be possible. There is a very spooky phenomenon that involves a particle(this may not be entirely accurate, im kind of tired right now)that is in one place and can INSTANTANEOUSLY(sry for spelling) go to another. String theory has something to do with it. But no we are not predistined

Let me show you how you can travel in time. Read THIS now keep on reading all this babble that is just here for a filler because it is and I am, now read THIS. You have traveled a small amount in time.

How exactly is instanteneous travel in space time travel? You travel by time, your idea is the opposite.

[Death]

When it comes to time, since it seems pretty linear, I belive it is. Just lke my view on God only in reverse; I don't see him, I belive he's a fictional character. Anyway, onto my views of the future. I do not believe that anything is predetermined. Everything that happens, does so becuase of a choice that we make. Like what is says on the Fable cover, "For every choice, a consequence." I believe that if you decide to gorge on fatty pies all the time, you will become fat; the fatness being your "destiny", or "future". But it can't be predetermined because if you didn't stuff your face in the first place, you wouldn't have acquired the additoinal (or any) fatness. Interesting topic though.

[INFERNO]

When it comes to time, since it seems pretty linear, I belive it is. Just lke my view on God only in reverse; I don't see him, I belive he's a fictional character. Anyway, onto my views of the future. I do not believe that anything is predetermined. Everything that happens, does so becuase of a choice that we make. Like what is says on the Fable cover, "For every choice, a consequence." I believe that if you decide to gorge on fatty pies all the time, you will become fat; the fatness being your "destiny", or "future". But it can't be predetermined because if you didn't stuff your face in the first place, you wouldn't have acquired the additoinal (or any) fatness. Interesting topic though.

What is your view of God in reverse? I didn't follow that part.

As for the pre-determined, it's debatable. Let's say two parents each with the same genetic disorder have a child and that child also has the genetic disorder. It doesn't matter what the kid does, it's pre-determined without their say.

Also, the real paradox or possibly contradiction in your post is as follows: you believe in the future yet you disbelieve in pre-determination. The reason why this is rather contradictory is because you admit to pre-determining the existence of a future, regardless of what it holds. You admit that there is one, you pre-determine it yet you claim to disbelieve in pre-determination. Either I'm misinterpreting your argument or you have a rather big contradiction.

[Death]

What is your view of God in reverse? I didn't follow that part.

Nevermind that bit.

I suppose there are things we can't control but they still happen because of something else. We still have choices though, and it's all the little choices (most we don't even think about) that can also affect the future. Even if you throw a die, the number it lands on depends on how you were holding it before, how hard you throw it, if it hits anything while rolling, etc. We only percieve it as truly random because we don't know which number it could land on. My main point is, if you threw it differently, you'll probraly get a different number. That's why dice are good for generating random numbers; we'll always throw differently. It's like this when it comes to our choices (including randomocity) and the future - cause and effect. Is this a condtridiction?

[INFERNO]

Nevermind that bit.

I suppose there are things we can't control but they still happen because of something else. We still have choices though, and it's all the little choices (most we don't even think about) that can also affect the future. Even if you throw a die, the number it lands on depends on how you were holding it before, how hard you throw it, if it hits anything while rolling, etc. We only percieve it as truly random because we don't know which number it could land on. My main point is, if you threw it differently, you'll probraly get a different number. That's why dice are good for generating random numbers; we'll always throw differently. It's like this when it comes to our choices (including randomocity) and the future - cause and effect. Is this a condtridiction?

Off-topic: If you are 14, then you're a minority consisting of the intelligent and mature ones.

That analogy MAY be a contradiction depending on this one key thing: define random and random numbers in terms of the analogy you gave.

[Death]

Off-topic: If you are 14, then you're a minority consisting of the intelligent and mature ones.

What's age got to do with beliefs or ideas?

That analogy MAY be a contradiction depending on this one key thing: define random and random numbers in terms of the analogy you gave.

Define random? I meant that you throw a die and it lands on a specific number becuase of how it was thrown and how it landed but you don't knwo what the number will be. It would have given a different number 5 times out of 6 if you had have thrown it differently or against different obstacles. You don't know what you'll get making it random.

[INFERNO]

What's age got to do with beliefs or ideas?

It was a compliment, the majority of 14-years old I've debated with here or outside the computer tend to have less maturity and intellect.

Define random? I meant that you throw a die and it lands on a specific number becuase of how it was thrown and how it landed but you don't knwo what the number will be. It would have given a different number 5 times out of 6 if you had have thrown it differently or against different obstacles. You don't know what you'll get making it random.

OK, if you define it like that, then there is no contradiction.

[lesher]

1st. Well, if you put Einstein's formula of time's relativity on the run, then yes, time is relative
2nd. Have you ever feel that whenever you're doing something that you really enjoy, time goes fast? And whenever you're in situation that you hate, time goes very slowly...?

[Death]

lesher: 2nd: Yes, it certainly does seem to be that way. :(
INFERNO: Ah, that's what you meant by the minority thing; sorry and thankyou.

[INFERNO]

Have you ever feel that whenever you're doing something that you really enjoy, time goes fast? And whenever you're in situation that you hate, time goes very slowly...?

Yes, although this is not to say that time itself is increasing but rather your perception of it is being altered. There are some nice biological explanations for this, however, seeing as how this is not the time nor place for a detailed one, the basics of it involve the nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system) and intergrative physiology with it.

[Camazotz]

Although I agree with Einstein that time feels relative, time goes on at the same pace at all times, even if it seems to go faster or slower. Basically how Inferno summed it up.