This philosophical text deals with the theme of time. A central contention is that science and philosophy alike systematically misrepresent the nature of time. Bergson suggests that the traditional association between the model of space and time is incoherent. Unlike space, time is not measurable by objective standard. This contention is tried out against the major movement in physics of the day - relativity. Tracing the development of the theory from "special" to "general" relativity, Bergson finds that a fundamental requirement of the theory is an impossibility - the assumption that the experiences of two observers moving at different speeds within two different physical systems might be thought of as simultaneous. This is to ignore the limits of possible experience.;As with much of Bergson's thought the book has had a complex reception in both the world of physics and the world of philosophy. This edition is supplemented by a number of extracts bearing on the debate of Bergson's critique of relativity, including an interview between Einstein and Bergson. The introduction appraises this reception and examines the currency of Bergson's thought on time for the philosophy of science today.
| ISBN: | 9781903083017 |
| Publication date: | 23rd September 1999 |
| Author: | Henri Bergson |
| Publisher: | Clinamen Press an imprint of Clinamen Press Ltd. |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 211 pages |
| Genres: |
Philosophical traditions and schools of thought Western philosophy from c 1800 Philosophy Philosophy of science Relativity physics |
This philosophical text deals with the theme of time. A central contention is that science and philosophy alike systematically misrepresent the nature of time. Bergson suggests that the traditional association between the model of space and time is incoherent. Unlike space, time is not measurable by objective standard. This contention is tried out against the major movement in physics of the day - relativity. Tracing the development of the theory from "special" to "general" relativity, Bergson finds that a fundamental requirement of the theory is an impossibility - the assumption that the experiences of two observers moving at different speeds within two different physical systems might be thought of as simultaneous. This is to ignore the limits of possible experience.;As with much of Bergson's thought the book has had a complex reception in both the world of physics and the world of philosophy. This edition is supplemented by a number of extracts bearing on the debate of Bergson's critique of relativity, including an interview between Einstein and Bergson. The introduction appraises this reception and examines the currency of Bergson's thought on time for the philosophy of science today.
Duration and Simultaneity features in the following genres: Philosophical traditions and schools of thought, Western philosophy from c 1800, Philosophy, Philosophy of science, Relativity physics
Duration and Simultaneity is available in Paperback
Duration and Simultaneity was written by Henri Bergson and published by Clinamen Press an imprint of Clinamen Press Ltd.
Duration and Simultaneity has 211 pages