Perspectives on "Time"

Perspectives on “Time”

Time is one of the key dynamics of history.  But, for the most part, we seem to take it for granted.  Time is ‘just there’ and people act ‘in’ it.  But is it ‘just there’ and just a matter we should overlook in favor of other more practical or alternative theoretical issues in human experience?  That’s my question.

Here’s my own idea about it.  “Time” is not a negligible issue for historians, practical philosophers, or scientists.  Time, in fact, forms the central issue or principle by which we as scholars, albeit obliviously, take note of and study our world.  Every phenomena, dynamic, or pattern we see in nature or our human world has its temporal context.  Every knowledge structure and system we construct or use to make sense of our world, even unconsciously, always points us back to this thing we call “time.”

But why shouldn’t “time” be a negligible matter to social scientists, humanities scholars, and more practically-oriented physical and life scientists?  Why shouldn’t it be of lesser import to intellectuals who are more interested in the human psychology and motivational base of history or more concerned with the directly pertinent systems and issues before them in subjects as diverse as sociology, ecology, chemistry, & systematic philosophy?  After all, “time” doesn’t directly impinge on a society’s econo-political power in the same way that Core/Periphery structures do or trade/communications does. It doesn’t impinge on the motives or the psychology of people to act this way or that in a specifically given historical circumstance.  “Time”, in this sense, as a major variable (regarding natural and human phenomena) is more about ontology/metaphysics and/or theoretical physics than it is about the topics discussed more regularly in the more concrete physical and social sciences.

Yet if “time” is not a static substrate or just an inert medium for active things to operate in its inactive substance, and if the evidence/theory of theoretical physics, complexity theory, or the modeling of systematic philosophies shows time to function differently as a phenomena than what the traditional conceptions of it detail, than that revised picture of temporality should/would have an impact on what we see in world history, human psych. and motivations within that temporal framework, and the world systemic structure and operations of human communities writ large.

I invite you all now to share your own perspectives on the topic from whatever angles you choose to explore it.  I look forward to your insights and hope you will all have some points to contribute.  I know the “time” issue in history seems irrelevant esp. in light of an impending US War on Iraq and the possible repercussions of it; but I’m certain this is an area of consideration that needs more discussion by historians, sociologists, scientists, and other scholars if we are better to understand history and act within it.

I’m looking forward to your ideas on the issue. Post your messages either to your lists or if you prefer send them to me personally by email or to consiliencep@topica.com. Best!

Luke Rondinaro, The Consilience Projects

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