Time is arguably the most mysterious dimension. Classical physics treats time as a continuous parameter flowing uniformly, while relativity shows it to be relative and intertwined with space. Quantum theory adds further complexity with indeterminacy and non-unitary processes. What, then, is time in a universe where spacetime itself is emergent?
In this post, we explore time as becoming within a relational ontology where temporal order arises from processes of actualisation embedded in a dynamic network of relations.
1. Time as a Parameter vs. Time as Process
Traditional physics often treats time as:
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A background parameter — a “clock” ticking uniformly,
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A dimension akin to space, subject to geometric measurement.
This conception struggles to accommodate:
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The irreversibility observed in thermodynamics and measurement,
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The open-endedness of quantum processes,
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The role of observers and systems embedded in evolving contexts.
2. Relational Ontology: Time as Actualisation
From a relational viewpoint:
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Time is not a pre-existing container but emerges from the ordering of relational transitions,
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The “flow” of time corresponds to successive actualisations of potential within the relational field,
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Becoming is fundamental; temporal order is the sequencing of constraint resolutions.
3. Implications for Physics and Philosophy
This view dissolves tensions between:
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The block universe (where all events are fixed in a four-dimensional spacetime),
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And dynamic becoming (where events unfold and are not predetermined).
Instead:
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Past, present, and future are modes of relational actualisation,
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The arrow of time arises naturally from asymmetric constraints and dissipative processes,
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Temporal experience and measurement are reflections of the ongoing relational dynamics.
4. Connection to Contemporary Research
Such an approach resonates with:
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Process philosophy’s emphasis on becoming (Whitehead, Bergson),
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Quantum approaches emphasising contextuality and irreversibility,
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Thermodynamic accounts linking time’s arrow to systemic constraints.
Closing
Reconceptualising time as relational becoming invites a profound shift: time is not a fixed dimension to be measured, but a dynamic unfolding embedded in the web of relations.
Next, we will explore how this relational framework informs our understanding of identity and persistence: How do entities emerge and persist within a flow of becoming?
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