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Enigma of the Universe Visva-Prahelikā
CONCEPT OF SPACE AND TIME IN WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
Muni Mahendra Kumar
Space and Time
As we have already seen, the universe includes all the realities which exist. Here, we shall confine ourselves only to the discussion of two important constituents of the universe viz. space and time. The problems which arise from the fact that elements (objects) perceived by our senses have position in space and time, are amongst the most perplexing riddles for the philosophers as well as the scientists.
First, we shall break down the riddle in a series of question and discuss the answers given by various philosophers and scientists :
(a) Are space and time ultimately real or merely phenomenon ? (b) Arc they (i) infinite, (ii) divisible, (iii) continuous,
(iv) homogenous ? (c) Are they relative or absolute ? (d) Are they one or many ? (e) Are they simply modifications of matter, or ideas of con
sciousness, or some independent entities? As in the case of "Nature of Reality" the answer to this questions given by different philosophers and scientists are radically divergent. The concepts of "space" and "time" are based on such experiences. Series of questions such as "What is space ?"; "What is time?" ; "Do space and time really exist ?" ; or “Are they simply the forms of matter or ideas of consciousness or some independent entities ?'' arise and we find that different philosophers and scientists have given different answers to these questions. Concept of space and time in Western Philosophy
Among the ancient Greek philosophers, the atomists like Democritus and Leucippus (B.C. 400), and Epicurus (B.C. 341) considered space as an ultimate reality, while establishing their theory of atoms. In their atomism, real existence of both atoms and space was accepted. In their view, motion was regarded as a natural property of the atoms. This atomic motion was thought to take place through the
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