4-dimensional block universe and the nature of time

[vectorcube]

A 4-D block universe is a construct originate from einstein theory of relativity, but some how serve as a nice toy model in the philosophy of time. The notion of a block is deceptive, but the general notion is that if you could some how reduce the whole 3-dimensionality of our universe to a 2- d slice, and that at each moment of time, there is a slice for that time, then by piling the "slices" in the order of time, you have a "block" universe. Now, this block is just there for all of eternality. What we preceive as the past, present, and future are points in this continuous block universe. In such a universe, "time" do not "flow". "tme" would be like the location of space. Suppose you are this super-being that could some how "look" at this continuous block, then you would literally see the past, present and future as locations in a continuous object.

I think this block universe view is superior to the view that time "flows".

[urangutan]

In this block theory, it is not time as in seconds that is measured but in light. That is the impression I get from, reading the post. Although time can be measured alongside the passage of light, that is not time in itself.

[vectorcube]

Originally Posted by urangutan

Although time can be measured alongside the passage of light, that is not time in itself.

Not sure what "time in itself" really mean. In the model, time is just a just a degree of freedom in the block.

Here is a some reading material: The Philosophy of Time


Here is a nice summery:




2) The "Block Universe" View


"Physicists prefer to think of time as laid out in its entirety - a timescape, analogous to a landscape - with all past and future events located there together ... Completely absent from this description of nature is anything that singles out a privileged special moment as the present or any process that would systematically turn future events into the present, then past, events. In short, the time of the physicist does not pass or flow." --Paul Davies, "That Mysterious Flow" [/QUOTE]

[urangutan]

I can understand the concept of block universe but not applied to time.

If the light from our sun could be seen to its extent, then that block universe of light, is the extent of our known universe. Beyond that point we are not recognisable and in so are not a part of that universe.

[vectorcube]

Originally Posted by urangutan

I can understand the concept of block universe but not applied to time.

I don` t think you do. Have you read the link?

If the light from our sun could be seen to its extent, then that block universe of light, is the extent of our known universe. Beyond that point we are not recognisable and in so are not a part of that universe

.

So the picture you shouldn`t have is a block universe defined by the light cone of a particular event( eg: burst of light from sun).


What you ought to think of is a the universe as a block B. Every point in B is represented by ( x, y , z , t). Imagine the imagine of you sitting in a room, not moving, then x, y, z would be constant, but t would be different. In fact, You sitting could be represented by a line in B.

[urangutan]

Yes I did and though it makes sense to assume that this block encompasses, the known Universe, I cannot fathom how it can be "sliced" into time frames and observed. I can imagine that if time is infinite it occupies all, but as light cannot pass beyond the barrier of time, then how can one observe the future.

[vectorcube]

Yes I did and though it makes sense to assume that this block encompasses, the known Universe,

Becareful. The block don` t contain the universe. The universe at a particular time is a slice of the block. It is a 4-d block after all.

I cannot fathom how it can be "sliced" into time frames and observed.

Becareful. Nobody said anything about observing. I am not even sure how to observe it. We can ` t really observe 4-dimensions. Block universe is a model to think about things by simplification. A model is a toy that serves it`s purpose if it shows something of value to the thing it represents.

[urangutan]

"The universe at a particular time is a slice of the block". Until the point of now, is all the block can entertain, because "the block don't contain the universe". God is an entity, if it shows something of value to what it represents.

Light is the key to the cosmos, time is the door and gravity is the floor to the door.
On this side we have the universe

[Justin]

Have you seen this? Check it out.

YouTube - Conical Motion 1

YouTube - Conical Motion 3 - Walter Russell

YouTube - Conical Motion 4 - Walter Russell

[vectorcube]

Originally Posted by urangutan

"The universe at a particular time is a slice of the block". Until the point of now, is all the block can entertain, because "the block don't contain the universe".

Well, the block represent the total history of the universe as well as the universe.

Light is the key to the cosmos, time is the door and gravity is the floor to the door.
On this side we have the universe

No idea where you get this from.

---------- Post added 08-06-2009 at 12:20 PM ----------

Originally Posted by justin

Have you seen this? Check it out.

I have no idea what those videos are about, or why it is relevant to the block universe. In the video, there is a movement from past to future, but the block universe is a universe that contains all time. It sounds like i am making stuff up, but it is very much part of analytic philosophy.