66. General Relativity

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity construes space and time as the dimensions of the universe: space-time is the frame of reference, a four-dimensional grid, in which events occur.[1] This is quite different from everyday speech, where ‘space’ is often used to refer to the absence of visible matter (in space-time), and ‘time’ is often used to refer to processes or events (in space-time), as when linear processes or cyclical processes are referred to as ‘linear time’ or ‘cyclical time’, respectively, or when sequences of events are referred to as the ‘flow of time’.[2] The crucial difference, in terms of the present discussion, is this: the everyday usage construes space and time as phenomena that are experienced, whereas Relativity construes space-time as the frame of reference in which phenomena are experienced. Time and space are construed as the reference system against which events are measured, events that include the categorising processes of experiencing organisms. 

Footnotes:

[1] According to the Uncertainty Principle of Quantum Physics, it is not possible to measure both the momentum (mass x velocity) and the position of a particle. Momentum can be construed as a measurement with regard to matter-energy, while position can be construed as a measurement with regard to space-time, the frame of reference. A quantum matter-energy field (of difference) conforms to the wave model as a measure of momentum (relative to other matter-energy), and to the particle model as a measure of position (relative to space-time).

[2] To say that the universe — in some sense — “already exists” from the big bang to its heat death is to confuse time (as a dimension) with the unfolding of events.

ChatGPT revised:

Reference System vs Experienced Phenomena

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity construes space and time as the dimensions of the universe: space-time is a four-dimensional reference system — a continuum — within which events are located.[1] This construal differs significantly from everyday usage, in which ‘space’ often refers to the absence of visible matter, and ‘time’ refers to processes or sequences of events. For example, people speak of ‘linear time’ or ‘cyclical time’ to describe types of process, or of the ‘flow of time’ to describe the unfolding of events.[2]

The crucial distinction, for present purposes, lies in how space and time are being construed. In everyday language, space and time are phenomena that are experienced — construed experientially. In Relativity, by contrast, space-time is the system of reference against which phenomena — including experiences — are measured.

In other words, while common construals position space and time within experience, Relativity positions experience within space-time. Events are located with respect to this four-dimensional grid — including the events involved in categorising, observing, and experiencing. Time and space, in this model, are not things that flow or recur or are “filled” with content — they are the coordinates in which content is positioned and measured.

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Notes

[1] According to the Uncertainty Principle in quantum physics, it is not possible to measure both the momentum (mass × velocity) and the position of a particle with absolute precision. Momentum can be construed as a measure relative to matter-energy, while position can be construed as a measure relative to space-time — the reference frame. A quantum field of difference conforms to the wave model when measured in terms of momentum (relative to matter-energy), and to the particle model when measured in terms of position (relative to space-time).

[2] To say that the universe “already exists” from the big bang to its heat death is to confuse time as a dimension with the unfolding of events. The dimension of time does not imply the existence of an event at every coordinate until such events are actualised — instantiated — in experience.