Time appears to be the most mechanical element of our existence. We sleep, get on with the day, dwell on yesterday, and dwell on tomorrow. But when philosophers attempt to investigate time in depth, its very essence appears to slip through their fingers. What is the past? Does the future already exist? And what is the present actually?
There is presentism: there is only the present. In this, the future hasn’t come yet, and the past has already passed, and all is in the “now.” Every moment is transitory and evanescent. To be, in presentism, is an infinite succession of moments, and the all-signal is the way in which we experience them.
In contrast, eternalism positions that the past, present, and future coexist, just like points along a line coexist. Yesterday still “exists,” and tomorrow already does, although we have not yet arrived. This is also reflected by some of the modern ideas in physics, whereby time is there in an elastic space-time continuum. Life would be accounted for as a road from start to finish, and changing time just like an observation point on this.
There is also subjective time, the manner in which we live with it. Time will accelerate or decelerate relative to activity. A dull day lasts forever, yet a delightful or spectacular experience passes by in the time it takes to blink. Time is personal and flexible in the manner we live with it, a reminder that time is not just externally quantified but lived with, felt, and internalized.
Sense of time is pragmatically and philosophically significant. If only the present exists, then each moment is significant. Being attentive and being mindful are crucial competencies. In case the future is predetermined or governed by cause and effect, thinking, planning, and accountability become even more significant. Patience, decision-making, and what we value in our actions are influenced by time.
Philosophers have also attributed time to death. Life is of a finite time, and the understanding that every second is not eternal demands attention to what is important. Thinkers such as Marcus Aurelius promoted enjoying the present moment, moving forward with purpose, and embracing constraints of life. Contemporary philosophy contributes by advocating balance: looking at the past, looking ahead, but living in the present to its greatest extent.
Lastly, time is unknown and known. The past, present, and future all feed into memory, identity, and meaning. Through contemplation of time, we can live life aware, make good decisions, and live in the moment. The next time you glance at a clock or call to mind a memory, consider how present this moment is, how the past forms you into who you are today, and how much influence the future can exert on your decisions.
Philosophical reflection on time is not merely abstract, it is a way of existing in mind, focus, and sense.