part 1
Since the dawn of humanity, as we began to walk upright on Earth, we have gazed in wonder at our place in the universe. Now, as we look back at the indelible footprints we’ve left across the vast ocean of human knowledge and endeavour, we humbly stand on the brink of a new era of understanding. It’s truly awe-inspiring to realise that we are composed of the cosmic remnants of the Big Bang, and the very atoms that emerged in its aftermath are now contemplating themselves as humans.
Today, we reflect on our legacy, shaped by the knowledge accumulated over the past three centuries in our ever-expanding universe. It’s not just a rare occurrence to encounter diverse schools of thought when pondering concepts such as time and space, each presenting their compelling yet debatable arguments. Our human limitations, susceptibilities, biases, and prejudices have delayed our pursuit of ultimate understanding.
Aristotle and Plato were among the early explorers in the quest for ultimate human understanding. Buddhism, with its profound contemplations, thoroughly challenges the notion of the a priori existence of things. While Buddhism encompasses the realm of subjective realities, science has delved into the interrogation of both epistemological and ontological knowledge. Throughout history, humanity has sought to attain wisdom about the universe, recognising the interconnectedness of inner and outer experiences.
This vast realm of infinite possibilities is perceived as our mental construct, unfolding right before us. Conversely, in Western thought, our narratives possess a starting point. Time, akin to a book, is regarded as a linear progression, with events unfolding from beginning to end.
However, the act of fitting time into this linear framework raises perplexing questions: What existed before the Big Bang? Where did the entirety of existence originate? Our role in this journey towards a coherent answer is to position ourselves impartially, construct reasoned arguments, and align the events occurring in the universe in a manner consistent with our everyday experiences on a linear scale. In this column, I endeavour to shed light on these considerations for our readers.
Finite existence
Time not only reminds us of our finite existence on Earth, but also presents us with numerous unanswered questions. For instance, what preceded our existence on Earth, and what awaits us after death? The human brain, evolving to comprehend occurrences, events, outcomes and repercussions, has continuously strived to uncover causation and interconnections among the events that shape our lives.
The confirmed and well-founded belief in causation, rooted in our experience of time, instills in us a high level of confidence that events will unfold in a consistent manner. This confidence, in turn, grants us significant predictive capabilities, motivating us to formulate equations and assert our intellectual prowess among the various species. Indeed, this may hold true; the curious minds of observers have ventured to uncover the methods and approaches to comprehend phenomena that once baffled our ancient ancestors.
This endeavour demands the creation of models that incorporate the concepts of time passing and spatial location. It wasn’t until the emergence of language and the sharing of emotions, ideas, and desires among early humans that the forces of nature and natural elements were imbued with a sacred status, recognised as powerful agents that influenced our lives significantly.
This article aims to offer a reflective look at the true nature of time in our lives, how it shapes our existence, and its role in defining our moral values and spirituality. As per the findings of the Oxford
English Dictionary researchers, ‘time’ stands as the most frequently used noun in the English language. In Eastern philosophy and Buddhism, it is believed that the a priori existence of time serves as an explanation for the unfolding of events over time. The idea of cyclical time is perceived as the primary reality in the universe, as opposed to relying on the linear concept of time that has been promoted in Western thought.
In Hinduism, time is segmented into four epochs known as Yugas, where the cosmic rhythm of recurring events seamlessly transitions to the next, ushering in a new cosmic consciousness. These perpetual transformations of moments are steadfastly guaranteed to occur as one epoch flows into the next.
Ultimate goal
In Buddhism, the presupposed existence of time is evident in numerous references found in Buddhist accounts. However, the ultimate goal of the journey towards self-actualisation, which all dedicated Buddhist disciples are guided through, is ultimately believed to have transcended the very notion of time’s existence.
We exist within the realm of time, meticulously tracking its passage and constantly striving to keep pace with it. However, only a few persons can provide a straightforward definition of what time truly is. When posed with this question, responses from different people may vary, ranging from sociological and cognitive perspectives, emphasising the subjective experience of time’s flow, to the more objective viewpoint shared by all observers.
The possible answers one might receive include phrases are “Time is what moves us along through time”, “Time is what separates the past from the future”, and “Time is how we know when things happen”. While it can be challenging to articulate the essence of time without relying on the concept itself, the majority of people possess the skill to effectively organise and allocate their time in the execution of daily life tasks. We possess the knowledge to schedule a doctor’s appointment, remember the duration of a famous film we’ve watched, recall the date of our weddings, and anticipate the arrival of our twenty-fifth anniversaries for some among us. It is very difficult to articulate to a creature whose existence is asserted temporally, but its working in operational levels is intuited to all causing no furrowed brows.
“Time is nature’s way of keeping everything happening at once,” John A. Wheeler said.
How do we recognise our place within the ‘continuum of time’?
The world we inhabit is filled with phenomena and entities, all of which are empirically observable, prompting the observer to become conscious of them. Subsequently, individuals endeavour to formulate concepts that facilitate the identification of connections between categories and the broader realm of experience. These new concepts reshape the initial problem and refine the original ideas, ultimately advancing our comprehension of the underlying principles.
This progressive process characterises the evolution of science. The concept of time is a fundamental and essential tool for comprehending the phenomena and events that unfold before us. Without it, we would find ourselves bewildered and puzzled. The creation and formulation of concepts ultimately aid us in achieving a deeper understanding of these phenomena, which, in turn, allows us to become familiar with the way things exist.
To be continued next week
