In “A Brief History of the Philosophy of Time,” Professor Adrian Bardon from Wake Forest University argues that our perception of time is a psychological projection rather than an objective reality. Common phrases like “time flies” suggest a real passage of time, but Bardon challenges this notion by questioning what “flow” actually means. Citing ancient philosophers and modern physicists like Einstein, he highlights the complexity of time, where events lack physical locations in the past or future. Instead, he introduces “eternalism,” positing that all moments exist simultaneously. He compares the experience of color to time—both are projections based on how we process information. Bardon emphasizes that while physics disputes the dynamic nature of time, our subjective experiences render it effectively dynamic. Misunderstanding time’s projection leads to confusion between perception and reality, making it crucial to recognize our perspectives when considering the nature of time.
Keywords: Philosophy of time, psychological projection, subjective experience, eternalism, Adrian Bardon, Wake Forest University, Einstein, perception of time.
