Time, Circularity, Linearity

Circular theories of Time are often opposed to Linear ones, but such a contrast of them is misconceived, in two respects. First, Circularity is, more precisely, Circulinearity, i. e. it is a species of Linearity, which may be opposed, more precisely, to Rectilinearity. Likewise, the Circular theory of Time shares with the Linear one a breadthless successiveness, that happens to also consist in the repetition of its sequence. Second, Circularity and even Rectilinearity are not mutually exclusive--some species of spirals are combinations of the two. Likewise, Eternal Recurrence consists in a linear progression of identically-constituted distinct cycles, producing a spiraling pattern. In general, regardless of how elaborate a theory of Time may be, jettisoning Linearity from it seems difficult, since Successiveness seems to be an irreducible aspect of Time, and the most efficient representation of Successiveness seems to remain the Line.