The layers that build up the notion of time

TL;DR

This paper explores the multiple, distinct notions of time, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their differences and relations to better understand how time is represented and approximated in various contexts.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the various notions of time, highlighting their differences, relations, and relevance for describing the real world, advocating for breaking apart the concept of time.

Findings

Identifies multiple distinct notions of time.

Highlights the importance of context and approximation in understanding time.

Emphasizes the need to analyze time's different aspects separately.

Abstract

Confusion and disagreement around the notion of time is due to the fact that we often fail to recognize that we call 'time' a variety of distinct notions, only partially related to one another. Many apparently obvious properties of time are results of different kinds of approximations, idealizations, or special contexts. I illustrate a number of distinct notions of time, their differences and relations; they are all relevant for describing the real world. To understand time, we have to break it apart.