History and Simultaneity

The primary structure of a History, as is the case with any narrative, is Linear, constituted by a sequence of points, e. g. the rulers of a polity.  But, how instructive a History is depends on Simultaneity, i. e. comprehensiveness of theme.  For example, for a Marxist, a History of the Means of Production is more illuminating than one recounting the exploits of a regime, since the Means of Production in a society defines its Relations of Production, and thus incorporates greater breadth of what is transpiring at any moment.  Thus, a bona fide World History is constituted by more than events occurring at a variety of locations around the World.  Rather, the criterion of Simultaneity requires appropriate breadth of its elements, and, hence, that they involve as much of the World as possible.  In other words, hitherto, at least, the two World Wars, and the formation of the United Nations, but not much else, are the constituents of a real World History.

Time, History, Retention

Time is conceived as 1-Dimensional, i. e. as linear, including both rectilinear and curvilinear, in not only Physics, but usually in History, as well.  In other words, History is usually conceived as constituted by a sequence of events, but without the third Dimension of Time, Retention.  The one exception has been the Dialectical concept of it, according to which the Past is Sublated in the Present.  However, Sublation is not equivalent to Retention--in the former, the Past is negated by the Present, whereas in the latter, the former is exceeded by the latter.  Thus, the Past of a tree is retained within, not negated by, the Present ring.  Likewise, in human History, Medieval principles survive to this day in secular Democracies, and Socialist societies participate in free markets.  The power of the Past to survive into the Present, even after being presumably surpassed, has been proven, and underestimated, time and again. It may lose what Whitehead calls relevance, but it does not disappear.

6-Dimensional Space-Time

The second Dimension of Time, Simultaneity, involves at least two distinct events, and, hence, requires at least two locations.  Thus, in it, the 3 Dimensions of Space and the 3 of Time intersect, thereby constituting a 6-Dimensional Space-Time, ingredient in both concrete Experience and the fundamental processes of Modern Physics, i. e. as has been previously discussed, all 3 of Time are ingredient in Measurement, perhaps its most fundamental operation.  However, it is unclear if the 6-D model has any use in Physics.  Regardless, it exposes the 4-D concept as more useful mathematical construct than description of an exotic aspect of reality, as it is sometimes presumed to be.

Third Dimension of Time: Retention

In the common concept of Time, the Present is conceived as leaving the Past behind, even if continuity obtains in between.  In contrast, in the concept of Time as cumulative, the Past is within the Present.  In that case, corresponding to Spatial Depth is the third Dimension of Time: Retention.  Retention is expressed in any process of counting, i. e. because an earlier quantity is included in a later one.  In other words, Measurement entails Time-Retention.  Furthermore, Retention is ingredient in such fundamental Physics concepts as Inertia, Momentum, and Potential Energy.  So, if a Physicist so opted, their concept of 4-Dimensional Space-Time could be extended to 6-, without loss of relevance.

Second Dimension of Time: Simultaneity

The first Temporal Dimension, corresponding to Spatial Length, is Time-Lapse, though commonly referred to as simply 'Time' in 1-Dimensional concepts. The second, the Temporal correlate of Width, is Simultaneity.  Though not recognized as such in the standard 1-D concept, Simultaneity is essential to all operations in Modern Physics.  For, it is presupposed in any measurement of Time, i. e. which requires a Velocity common to the motion of an object of measurement, and that of the measuring device.  Otherwise, the relative Dilation that is established as occuring at high velocities, e. g. between two clocks, similarly distorts the operation.  Nevertheless, the presupposition is not incorporated into the standard concept as a second Dimension.

Three Dimensions of Time

While the constructors of 4-Dimensional Space-Time seem satisfied with a concept of Time as 1-Dimensional, it can be easily expanded to 3 analogous to those of Space.  First, what is generally termed 'Time' is, more precisely, Time-Lapse, analogous to Spatial Length. Second, Time Width is Simultaneity.  Third, Time Depth is Retention.  Also, corresponding to the 0-Dimensional Point is the Instant.  Now, not entailed in the analogy, and possibly precluded by it, is any contiguity between Space and Time.  But, if given one, one challenge to the concept of Space-Time as 4-Dimensional is, therefore, that it is arbitrarily abstracted from a 6-Dimensional concept.

Beyond the Speed of Light

According to one defense of the thesis that the Speed of Light is the maximum Velocity, if something could exceed it, the object might go either backwards or forwards in Time.  Now, why that would be a problem is unclear, but, regardless, the defense presupposes the same premise that the thesis uncritically does.  For, as has been previously discussed, Light is both an object of observation and a condition of it.  So, in the case of the latter, applying the Kantian critique, if something exceeds the Speed of Light, it is simply unobservable.  In other words, the thesis, and its defense, presuppose that Light is only an object of Description, and not a factor in Interpretation.