P. Muller - Il tempo in Agostino e nella filosofia medievale

Summary

In this philosophical exploration, the concept of time is analyzed from a medieval perspective, focusing on Augustine’s reflections in his Confessions. Time is examined as both a subjective experience and an objective reality. Augustine delves into the paradoxes of time, such as its existence, length, and measurability, proposing that time is not a physical phenomenon but a mental construct linked to memory and anticipation. He argues that the past and future exist only in the present, within the human soul, while the divine eternity remains outside of time. Augustine's insights challenge traditional notions, offering a profound Christian perspective on time and its relation to the soul.

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of time in the Middle Ages was influenced by philosophers, especially after Aristotle's works circulated in the Latin world from the 13th century.
• 😀 According to Aristotle, time is the number of movement and is linked to the soul's ability to distinguish between 'before' and 'after'.
• 😀 Augustine of Hippo explores the nature of time in the 11th book of his *Confessions*, posing the famous question, 'What is time?' and noting its elusive and paradoxical nature.
• 😀 Augustine argues that while time seems obvious, it is very difficult to define or express conceptually.
• 😀 Augustine's exploration of time leads to a distinction between 'eternity' and 'temporal' time, with eternity being the unchanging presence of God and time being a fleeting succession of moments.
• 😀 The 'in principio' phrase in the Bible is key for Augustine’s view on time, suggesting that time starts not with a temporal beginning, but with the eternal word of God.
• 😀 Augustine addresses a common Manichean objection by stating that time should not be seen as something God created after the beginning, but as part of God's eternal nature.
• 😀 Time for Augustine is not reducible to a simple movement of bodies; it is deeply connected to the mind, where past, present, and future coexist in different forms of 'presence'.
• 😀 Augustine presents three aporias regarding time: the existence of time (past, present, future), the length of time (how to measure it), and the measurement of time (how we can quantify time).
• 😀 In Augustine's view, the only time that can truly be 'measured' is the present, as past and future exist only in the mind, through memory and anticipation, respectively.
• 😀 Augustine concludes that time is not an external reality but a mental construct—how we experience time is subjective and depends on the mind's perception of memory, attention, and expectation.

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