Table of Contents

Prefaceix

Stylistic Mattersx

1.        Opening Time1

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

1.1          Naïve Realism4

1.2          The Block Universe5

1.3          Space-time8

1.4          Wormholes and CTCs10

2.        Time After Time13

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

2.1          Inertia15

2.2          Momentum18

2.3          Mass and Energy18

2.4          Force18

2.5          Rotation18

2.6          Special Relativity18

3.        Killing Time23

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

3.1          Here and Now18

3.2          Pointing the Way18

3.3          In Absentia18

4.        Marking Time31

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

4.1          Quantitative Order36

4.2          Evidence41

5.        The Time of Our Lives47

Where is the Source of Our Dynamical Reality? How Can Dynamical Change Arise From Static Change?

5.1          Presence of Mind51

5.2          Unrolling the Dice60

5.3          The Meaning of Life63

6.        Only Time Will Tell77

How Have We Constructed Our Subjective Reality? What Did We Base It On?

6.1          Qué Será, Será83

6.2          Probable Cause88

6.3          Wilful Vicissitude91

7.        Another Time115

How Have Others Tried to Rationalise Reality? How Do Their Views of Time Differ?

7.1          St. Augustine119

7.2          Bergson124

7.3          Minkowski127

7.4          McTaggart133

7.5          Einstein137

7.6          Broad144

7.7          Williams144

7.8          Gödel144

7.9          Barbour144

7.10        Rovelli144

7.11        Callender144

8.        Hard Time163

How Does This View of Time Affect Quantum Mechanics? What Interpretational Changes Are Necessary?

8.1          Wave-function Collapse171

8.2          Superdeterminism172

8.3          Quantum Block Universe172

9.        Once Upon a Time189

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

9.1          All or Nothing194

9.2          Origin and Existence194

10.      Out of Time201

What is Knowledge? How Much Can We Really Understand?

10.1       Information and Knowledge202

10.2       Fall of the Arrow206

10.3       Subspace206

Notes275

Glossary293

Index299