Space and time in philosophy are complex concepts with which so far many questions are connected. They were studied not only by philosophers, but also by representatives of other sciences: mathematics, physics, and so on. Terms such as “space” and “time” appeared in philosophy a long time ago. The first works that are somehow connected with them belong to Democritus, Newton, Epicurus.
Space and time in philosophy
The material world that surrounds us consists of various kinds of structural objects. These objects are constantly in motion, as well as developing. Their development is a kind of deployment process. This process goes through certain stages.
In fact, space is nothing more than the ability of an object to be drawn out, to have a place among others, and also to border them. They talk about time when comparing different durations that express the speed of development of the deployment processes, their pace, and also the rhythm. Space and time in philosophy always have a definite connection. Their categories are forms of being of matter.
There are various concepts that have space and time. Their philosophy knows two:
- substantial;
- relational.
The first considers both of them as free entities that exist completely independently of material objects - that is, independently. In the second case, they are considered as free relations between objects, as well as processes. Outside of these objects and processes, neither one nor the other exists.
As mentioned above, these concepts are considered by other sciences, however, it was philosophy that helped to discover their basic properties. Space and time have the following universal properties:
- independence from human consciousness ;
- inextricable connection with matter, as well as with each other;
- absoluteness;
- dependence on processes, as well as on interactions within material systems;
- the unity of continuous, as well as discontinuous in their own structure;
- qualitative and quantitative infinity.
Distinguish between metric and topological properties of time and space. Topological characteristics are associated with discontinuity and continuity, orientability, connectedness, dimension, and so on. Metric characteristics represent isotropy, infinity, finiteness, and more.
The universal properties of space are the location, extent, coexistence of different elements, the ability to connect elements, increase or decrease their number.
Metric properties are primarily associated with the extent of space. They express how spatial elements are related, to which laws of their connection they obey.
The specific properties of space are also known. These include:
- symmetry and asymmetry;
- location;
- distance between objects;
- distribution of field and substance;
- boundaries that define various kinds of systems.
The general properties of time are:
- connection with the attributes of matter;
- duration;
- asymmetry and one-dimensionality;
- orientation from the past to the future;
- irreversibility.
The specific properties of time include certain periods of the existence of bodies, the simultaneity of various events, the rhythm of processes, the pace of development, as well as the relationships of different development cycles located in one system.
Albert Einstein was able to prove that in our world, time and space intervals when changing to another frame of reference always change. The theory of relativity made clear the deep connection that exists between space and time. She also showed that there is a single space, as well as time. The space and time that we feel is just a projection of that same single time and space. They can be split depending on how the bodies behave.