Philosophy Discussion Forums

Physicists like to say that every time we look through a telescope towards the edge of the universe, we are looking back in time. If so, then how can we ever expect to see it at time Now? Do we have to be physically there to see it? Is there even such a thing as Now that can be precisely defined?

Yes, under normal conditions we would have to be physically there to see any distant objects in their own present.

As far as "precisely" defining "now", I don't think it can be done more than what it already is as a concept. We have an idea of what "now" is, but what we say it is, it clearly is not. Normally, we say "now" is what we are currently perceiving and experiencing. But in reality what we are perceiving is the very recent past, as it takes a fraction of a second for our perceptive and cognitive apparatuses to process the incoming stimuli into a coherent picture of the world.

So no, under normal conditions the present can never be seen.

Yes, you're looking at it ... right ... now!

Blink and you missed it.

Theophane wrote:Yes, you're looking at it ... right ... now!

Blink and you missed it.

Wait, when did you say it happened again?

Well the past present can be seen, but never the present present...

Logic_ill wrote:Well the past present can be seen, but never the present present...

Couldn't PRP be inferred from PAP?

Logic_ill said: Well the past present can be seen, but never the present present.

I used that excuse on my girlfriend's birthday, she didn't go for it.

Atreyu said: So no, under normal conditions the present can never be seen.

So it can be seen under abnormal circumstances... such as?