Arrow of time: A physical concept with philosophical roots

Author: Behrooz Ebadi

Affiliations: History and Philosophy of Science Department, Paris Diderot University, Paris, France, Teacher of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Tehran International School (TIS)

Email: behrouzebadi.july1982@gmail.com

Journal: International Journal of Fundamental Physical Sciences (IJFPS)

Volume: 9, Issue: 3, Pages: 37-40, Date: September, 2019

ISSN: 2231-8186

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14331/ijfps.2019.330129

Abstract

This article explores the historical and philosophical roots of the 'arrow of time' concept in physics. It highlights how the notion of time has been shaped by both scientific and philosophical discourse, especially the interplay between Henri Bergson's concept of duration and Arthur Eddington's physical framing of entropy. Through analysis of memory, the openness of the future, and temporal flow, the article demonstrates how subjective experiences of time influenced objective theories. Eddington’s introduction of entropy as a bridge between subjective consciousness and physical measurement is emphasized as a foundational element of modern interpretations of time’s direction.

Keywords

Time, Philosophy of Physics, Bergson, Eddington

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/