A Theory of the Mechanism of Survival: The Fourth Dimension and Its Applications

by W. Whately Smith

A similar state of things would result if the average life of a man on earth lasted about ten minutes.

Again we know that the regularity of the changes in our system is really only apparent, for all the motions by which we habitually measure time are gradually altering under the influence of tidal friction.

So we see that all our ordinary ideas of time are based on the fissiparous assumption that certain distributions of matter will occur regularly; that is to say in such a manner that if we could observe any two successive cycles simultaneously they would appear coincident.

The same can be shown to apply to any other system of time measurement which we can substitute for the observation of astronomical phenomena.

This is so because, apart from all other reasons, every conceivable method must be based on the assumption that the properties of matter are invariable. But these seem to be functions of the properties of ether and since the solar system is certainly, and the whole universe probably, moving through ether-filled space, this means that our methods of time measurement must ultimately be based on the assumption that the ether is homogeneous.

Very probably it is; but there is no reason why it should be—on a priori grounds.

Now M. Bergson has been at pains to discriminate between this time "of succession" which we know and true time—the time "of duration." His view, as I understand it, is that the succession of events or "spatial simultaneities" by which we measure time no more is time than the succession of marks on a foot-rule is the material which we measure with it.

What we actually experience as time does not necessarily correspond with the spatial recurrences which measure it.

We all of us say, when we are bored, that "the time passed slowly" or, when we are happy and amused, that "the time flew" and although this may appear at first sight to be no more than a loose way of speaking I think that there is more in it than that. It is here, in fact, that we find what I can only call a "check" on the measurement of time.