Q&A: Time and Space
Time and Space
Question
Hello, the conception of time and space intrigues me and leaves me confused. I don’t have time to study the subject, and I’d be glad if the Rabbi could clear up some of the fog around it a bit. As a youth I liked the proof of Rav Saadia Gaon against the eternity of the world—the proof according to which, if the world were eternal, thought could not move up the timeline back to the beginning, and if so, how were all the times and deeds completed until our present existence? I understand that this is a naive conception of time, but it is close to common sense. How did Aristotle, who argued for the eternity of the world, understand the concept of time? What was the dispute between Leibniz and Newton regarding time? And is the conception of time connected to the question of continuity in nature?
Thank you
Answer
If you don’t have time to study the subject, then you’ll have to wait until you do have time. It’s not reasonable to raise several general and vague questions here and expect, in reply, a comprehensive essay on the subject of time.
This is like saying: I don’t currently have time to do a doctorate in biochemistry; if you could just explain to me the principles of chemistry and biology, and how that connects to physics.
Shmaya, see Elitzur’s booklet, 'Time and Consciousness'