Sub-principles

  1. Time is Not a Substance or Dimension: Time is not an independent physical entity, dimension of space, or flowing substance. It is the occurrence of motion – when motion happens, time happens.
  2. Time is Relative to Motion: All time measurement is comparison of one motion to another. There is no absolute time, no universal clock, and no privileged reference frame for time.
  3. Time Requires Motion: Without motion, there is no time. Time does not "exist" independently – it emerges from the occurrence of motion. No motion means no change, and therefore no passage of time.
  4. Time is Scale-Dependent: The rate of time's passage varies dramatically across similarity levels. A complete cycle at one scale may represent only a tiny fraction of a cycle at another scale.
  5. Time is Eternal: Because motion is perpetual (Axiom 8) and the Universe is eternal (Axiom 4), time has no beginning and no end. Time stretches infinitely into both past and future.
  6. All Clocks Are Motions: Every method of measuring time – atomic clocks, pendulums, planetary orbits, radioactive decay – involves comparing one motion to another motion chosen as a standard.
  7. No Universal Simultaneity: Events that appear simultaneous from one perspective may not be simultaneous from another perspective, because simultaneity depends on which motions are being compared.

Core Principle

This axiom establishes time as a derivative concept – it emerges from motion rather than existing independently. Building on:

  • Axiom 1 – Only space, matter, and motion exist (time is not listed as fundamental)
  • Axiom 6 – Motion is unique, continuous, and relative
  • Axiom 7 – Energy is motion of matter
  • Axiom 8 – All matter is constantly in motion

Axiom 9 asserts that time is simply what we call the occurrence of motion. This has profound implications:

  1. No independent time dimension – time doesn't "flow" separately from matter
  2. No time without motion – time requires physical processes
  3. No absolute time – all time is relative to chosen reference motions
  4. No beginning or end – time is eternal like motion
  5. Scale-dependent rates – time passes at different rates at different similarity levels
  6. No time travel – you can't separate time from physical motion
  7. Spacetime is mathematical abstraction – not physical reality

Unlike Einstein's spacetime where time is a dimension geometrically unified with space, or Newton's absolute time flowing uniformly everywhere, the AAM recognizes that time is the happening of motion – nothing more, nothing less.

Key Definitions

Time

Time is the occurrence of matter in motion. It is not an independent dimension but rather the manifestation of motion itself. When we say "time passes," we mean "motion occurs."

Temporal Rate

Temporal rate is the relationship between motion at one scale and motion at another scale. For example, the temporal rate between SL₋₁ and SL₀ describes how many atomic-scale cycles occur during one solar-system-scale cycle.

Clock

A clock is any periodic motion used as a reference standard for comparing other motions. Planetary orbits, pendulum swings, atomic vibrations, and radioactive decay all serve as clocks.

Present Moment

The present moment is the current configuration and motion of all matter in a local region. It is the "now" of immediate experience, defined by the current state of motion in that region.

Simultaneity

Simultaneity is the occurrence of two motions at the same phase in their respective cycles. Because all motion is relative (Axiom 6), simultaneity is also relative and depends on which motions are being compared.

Contrasts with Conventional Physics

Einstein's Spacetime vs AAM

Einstein's Relativity:

  • Time is fourth dimension geometrically unified with three space dimensions
  • Spacetime is fundamental 4D continuum
  • Time can dilate, contract, curve with space
  • Gravity is curvature of spacetime

AAM Position:

  • Time is occurrence of motion, space is container for matter
  • Time and space are fundamentally different: space is static container, time is dynamic occurrence
  • Time appears to "dilate" due to different motion rates, not geometric effects
  • Gravity is geometric shadowing in 3D space (Axiom 1), not spacetime curvature

Why Spacetime Seems to Work: Mathematical convenience – treating time as dimension simplifies equations. It approximates real effects since relative motion does affect perceived time rates. But it conflates mathematical representation with physical reality.

Newton's Absolute Time vs AAM

Newton's View: Time flows uniformly everywhere independent of matter or motion. Universal cosmic clock ticks the same for all observers.

AAM View: Time is relative to motion being observed. No universal clock – all time measurement compares motions. Time requires motion – no motion means no time.

Time Dilation: Geometric vs Mechanical

Relativity's View: Moving clocks run slower (special relativity). Clocks in gravity wells run slower (general relativity). Time itself dilates or contracts.

AAM Explanation:

  • Motion rates differ due to mechanical effects
  • Faster motion through aether increases resistance to internal motions
  • Gravitational shadowing affects motion rates
  • "Time dilation" is real effect on motion rates, not time itself changing

GPS Satellite Example: Satellites moving fast relative to Earth and in weaker gravitational field. Both effects mechanically alter atomic clock rates. Corrections confirm motion rates differ – supports AAM's mechanical explanation.

Time Scaling Across Similarity Levels

One of the most profound aspects of Axiom 9: time passes at vastly different rates at different similarity levels.

The Fundamental Principle

The rate at which time passes at one similarity level compared to another is determined by the ratio of characteristic motion cycles at those levels.

Simple Statement: A complete orbital cycle at one similarity level corresponds to only a tiny fraction of an orbital cycle at the next higher similarity level.

Atomic Scale vs Our Scale

At SL₋₁ (Atomic Scale):

  • A "year" is one complete planetron orbit
  • Duration: approximately 10⁻¹⁵ to 10⁻¹⁶ seconds in our time
  • Billions of billions of "years" pass at SL₋₁ in one second of our time

From Atomic Observer's Viewpoint: Our "one year" would seem like countless eons. Our motions would appear frozen in time. Our civilization's entire history would be imperceptible blip.

Our Scale vs Galactic Scale

At SL₊₁ (Galactic Scale):

  • A "year" is one complete orbit around galactic center
  • Duration: ~200-250 million of our years
  • Our entire civilization exists in tiny fraction of one galactic "year"

From Galactic Observer's Viewpoint: Our solar system appears essentially frozen. Human civilization comes and goes in microscopic instant.

Implications for Evolution and Life

At Lower Similarity Levels: Time passes much faster. More generations in given "absolute" time span. Evolution proceeds more rapidly (from our perspective).

At Higher Similarity Levels: Time passes much slower. Fewer generations in given time span. Evolution proceeds slowly (from our perspective).

Key Insight: Evolution doesn't actually happen "faster" or "slower" – it happens at the same relative rate at each level. It only appears different when viewed from another similarity level.

Supporting Arguments

Motion and Time Are Inseparable

Every method of measuring time involves observing motion:

  • Sundials: Earth's rotation
  • Pendulum clocks: Pendulum swing
  • Quartz clocks: Crystal oscillation
  • Atomic clocks: Atomic transition frequency
  • Radioactive dating: Nuclear decay

Time measurement is always motion comparison. We compare unknown motion to standard motion (clock). This suggests time IS motion, not something separate.

No Independent Time Detection

Unlike space (which we can measure with rulers) or matter (which we can detect directly), we cannot detect or measure time except through motion.

Thought Experiment: Imagine completely frozen universe where nothing moves. No motion = no change. No change = no way to measure passage. Time becomes undefined, not just unmeasurable.

Relativity of Time Follows from Relativity of Motion

If time is occurrence of motion (Axiom 9), and motion is relative (Axiom 6), then time must be relative too. This matches observation – time dilation effects confirm moving clocks run at different rates.

Eternal Motion Requires Eternal Time

From Axiom 8: All matter is constantly in motion, and motion is perpetual. If motion is eternal (no beginning, no end) and time is occurrence of motion, then time must also be eternal (no beginning, no end).

Objections & Responses

"Time Feels Absolute to Us"

This intuition comes from limited scale range (we only experience motion at roughly our similarity level), common reference frame (on Earth, we share similar motion), and psychological consistency (brain processes time based on neural activity at consistent rates). For everyday purposes, assuming absolute time works fine – errors only become significant at extreme speeds or gravitational fields.

"GPS Requires Relativistic Time Corrections"

GPS corrections are real, but they correct for motion rate differences, not spacetime geometry. Satellite velocity through aether affects atomic clock rates mechanically. Gravitational effects alter motion rates. Same predictions as relativity, but mechanical explanation rather than geometric.

"Time Dilation Is Experimentally Verified"

AAM doesn't deny time dilation effects – it acknowledges clocks run at different rates under different conditions. What AAM denies is the geometric spacetime explanation. High-speed motion through aether slows internal motions mechanically. Muons live longer because decay process is slowed by motion through aether. Same predictions, different mechanism.

"Can't Have Motion Without Time"

Motion is Fundamental: Motion is movement of matter through space (Axiom 6), defined without reference to time. Motion is changing spatial relationship between matter. Time is derived: the occurrence of that motion. Motion would exist even if we had no concept of time. Time is the label we give to the happening of motion.

"What About Entropy and Time's Arrow?"

What we call "time's arrow" is the one-directional organizational pattern of the Universe across similarity levels. Lower SLs more organized, higher SLs more chaotic. This progression creates apparent arrow. Not time itself that's directional, but the organizational pattern. Time's arrow reduces to motion's causality.

Open Questions

Theoretical Development

  • What is precise mathematical relationship between time rates at different SLs?
  • How exactly does organizational progression create apparent arrow of time?
  • Why does consciousness experience time as flowing?
  • How do we define simultaneity across similarity levels?

Mathematical Formulation

  • Can we reformulate physics using motion as parameter instead of time?
  • How do we model systems spanning multiple similarity levels?
  • Formal mathematical theory of comparing different clocks

Experimental Tests

  • Can we measure time scaling factor between SLs directly?
  • What experiments could distinguish geometric vs mechanical time dilation?
  • Are there observable consequences of scale-dependent time?

Conceptual Clarification

  • What exactly is the "present moment"? How thick is it?
  • Is causation temporal or is time causal?
  • How do we conceptualize infinite past and future?

Relationship to Other Axioms

Builds On:

  • Axiom 1 (Space, Matter, Motion): Time not listed as fundamental – derives from motion
  • Axiom 2 (Infinite Space): Infinite space allows infinite motion sequences; eternal time
  • Axiom 4 (Universe Concept): Eternal Universe = eternal time
  • Axiom 6 (Relative Motion): Relative motion = relative time; no absolute time
  • Axiom 7 (Energy as Motion): Energy processes = motion = time passage
  • Axiom 8 (Perpetual Motion): Perpetual motion = eternal time; no cessation

Prepares For:

  • Axiom 10 (Self-Similarity): Same time principles at all scales; time scaling understood through self-similar structure

Key Connections:

  • With Axiom 6 (Relative Motion): Relative motion → relative time. No absolute reference → no absolute time.
  • With Axiom 8 (Perpetual Motion): Perpetual motion → eternal time. No motion cessation → no time cessation.
  • With Axiom 1 (Gravity): Gravitational effects on motion explain "gravitational time dilation" mechanically.