Conclusion

Abstract

In the course of the discussion throughout the last three chapters it has been emphasised that science has conceptual consequences. In particular, our views of the nature of time have changed dramatically in the light of scientific discoveries since the Scientific Revolution. These scientific discoveries are often presented as supporting a Parmenidean view of time, due to (a) the relativity of simultaneity and (b) the temporal symmetry of the fundamental equations. It is a mistake to ignore the scientific discoveries, which have affected the notion of time. But it is equally a mistake to pretend that philosophical views of time follow either deductively or inductively from the principles of scientific theories.