Plato on a Circular Universe
"It had no need of eyes, for there was nothing outside it to be seen; nor of ears, for there was nothing outside to be heard. There was no surrounding air to be breathed, nor was it in need of any organ by which to supply itself with food or to get rid of it when digested. Nothing went out from or came into it anywhere, for there was nothing. Of design it was made thus, its own waste providing its own food, acting and being acted upon entirely with and by itself, because its designer considered that a being which was sufficient unto itself would be far more excellent than one which depended upon anything." from Timaeus, (33 -The Construction of the World)
The quotation is seems linked to the legend of the world serpent, the Ouroboros:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros
Both then remind me strongly of Eternal Return; the belief that we will live the same lives again and again:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_return
Logically, time should be circular: all moments must be proceeded by another moment to be defined and only a closed loop topology fits this requirement (with the start and end of time colocated). Also physically, the only possible place to get enough matter/energy for the big bang is the big crunch; suggestive of circular time.
I think Plato’s quote is wonderful and maybe not far from the truth after all?
The quotation is seems linked to the legend of the world serpent, the Ouroboros:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros
Both then remind me strongly of Eternal Return; the belief that we will live the same lives again and again:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_return
Logically, time should be circular: all moments must be proceeded by another moment to be defined and only a closed loop topology fits this requirement (with the start and end of time colocated). Also physically, the only possible place to get enough matter/energy for the big bang is the big crunch; suggestive of circular time.
I think Plato’s quote is wonderful and maybe not far from the truth after all?
Comments (0)