9780198797302

What Makes Time Special?

Format: Hardcover

ISBN13: 9780198797302

Hardcover|9780198797302


Overview

As we navigate through life we instinctively model time as having a flowing present that divides a fixed past from open future. This model develops in childhood and is deeply saturated within our language, thought and behavior, affecting our conceptions of the universe, freedom and the self.Yet as central as it is to our lives, physics seems to have no room for this flowing present. What Makes Time Special? demonstrates this claim in detail and then turns to two novel positive tasks. First, by looking at the world "sideways" - in the spatial directions - it shows that physics is not"spatializing time" as is commonly alleged. Even relativity theory makes significant distinctions between the spacelike and timelike directions, often with surprising consequences. Second, if the flowing present is an illusion, it is a deep one worthy of explanation. The author develops a picturewhereby the temporal flow arises as an interaction effect between an observer and the physics of the world.Using insights from philosophy, cognitive science, biology, psychology and physics, the theory claims that the flowing present model of time is the natural reaction to the perceptual and evolutionary challenges thrown at us. Modeling time as flowing makes sense even if it misrepresents it.

ISBN-13

9780198797302

ISBN-10

0198797303

Weight

1.50 Pounds

Dimensions

6.25 x 0.50 x 9.50 In

List Price

$63.00

Edition

1st Edition

Format

Hardcover

Language

English

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published On

2017-09-06



View All Offers

Sort by:

Rows per page:

1–5 of 5

Condition
Seller
Seller Comments
Price
Used, Good
Seller details
Book Culture Inc.
★★★★★

New York, NY, USA

All pages and cover are intact. Possible minor highlighting and marginalia. Ships from an indie book...
$31.90

 Free delivery by: 30 Mar 2026

Used, Very Good
Seller details
Half Price Books Inc
★★★★☆

Dallas, TX, USA

Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and ...
$40.31

 Free delivery by: 30 Mar 2026

Used, Like New
Seller details
GreatBookPrices-
★★★★☆

Columbia, MD, USA

100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition. We offer expedited shipping to all US locat...
$75.92

 Free delivery by: 30 Mar 2026

Used, Good
Seller details
Bonita
★★★★☆

Santa Clarita, CA, USA

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
$78.76

 Free delivery by: 30 Mar 2026


Bookstores.com relies on cookies to improve your experience.