Table of Contents

Prefacexiii

Stylistic Mattersxvi

1.        Opening Time1

Why is an understanding of time so critical? Does it really exist at all?

1.1          Naïve Realism10

1.2          The Block Universe14

1.3          Space-time27

1.4          Wormholes and CTCs36

2.        Time After Time41

How do we describe the world as we perceive it? Are quantities such as momentum real?

2.1          Inertia46

2.2          Momentum47

2.3          Mass and Energy50

2.4          Force55

2.5          Rotation56

2.6          Special Relativity59

3.        Killing Time67

Why is the concept of a block universe significant? How does it help rationalise our understanding?

3.1          Here and Now75

3.2          Pointing the Way77

3.3          In Absentia83

4.        Marking Time89

What does it mean to make a measurement or observation? How much do we unwittingly add to such operations?

4.1          Quantitative Order95

4.2          Evidence106

5.        The Time of Our Lives119

Where is the source of our dynamical reality? How can dynamical change arise from static change?

5.1          Presence of Mind122

5.2          Unrolling the Dice125

5.3          The Meaning of Life131

6.        Only Time Will Tell137

How have we constructed our subjective reality? What did we base it on?

6.1          Qué Será, Será140

6.2          Probable Cause144

6.3          Wilful Vicissitude153

7.        Another Time159

How have others tried to rationalise reality? How do their views of time differ?

7.1          St. Augustine159

7.2          Bergson160

7.3          Minkowski162

7.4          McTaggart164

7.5          Einstein166

7.6          Broad171

7.7          Williams174

7.8          Gödel175

7.9          Barbour177

7.10        Ellis184

7.11        Rovelli187

7.12        Callender189

8.        Hard Time193

How does this view of time affect quantum mechanics? What interpretational changes are necessary?

8.1          Wave-function Collapse203

8.2          Superdeterminism208

8.3          Quantum Block Universe213

9.        Once Upon a Time225

Is time part of physics or metaphysics? What is the role of metaphysics in the study of reality?

9.1          All or Nothing227

9.2          Origin and Existence232

10.      Out of Time247

What is knowledge? How much can we really understand?

10.1       Information and Knowledge258

10.2       Fall of the Arrow264

10.3       Subspace274

Epilogue289

The poetry of truth and knowledge

Bell, Book, and Candle289

Notes291

Glossary313

Index317