-But rational thoughts lead only to rational thoughts, whereas irrational thoughts lead to new experiences.
Alan LightmanRead
In this world, there are two times. There is mechanical time and there is body time. The first is as rigid and metallic as a massive pendulum of iron that swings back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. The second squirms and wriggles like a bluefish in a bay. The first is unyielding, predetermined. The second makes up its mind as it goes along.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote contrasts the rigidity of mechanical time with the fluidity of body time.
Alan Lightman's quote highlights the different perceptions of time: mechanical time, which is strict and unchanging, versus body time, which is subjective and influenced by our experiences. This distinction invites reflection on how we experience time in our lives versus how it is measured in a mechanical sense.
Themes
TimeMechanical TimeBody TimePhilosophyExperience
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on time perception in psychology class.
More from Alan Lightman
All quotes →And at the place where time stands still, one sees lovers kissing in the shadows of buildings, in a frozen embrace that will never let go. The loved one will never take his arms from where they are now, will never give back the bracelet of memories, will never journey afar from his lover, will never place himself in danger of self-sacrifice, will never fail to show his love, will never become jealous, will never fall in love with someone else, will never lose the passion of this instant of time.
Alan LightmanRead
In a world without future, each moment is the end of the world.
Alan LightmanRead
Who would fare better in this world of fitful time? Those who have seen the future and live only one life? Or those who have not seen the future and wait to live life? Or those who deny the future and live two lives?
Alan LightmanRead
The tragedy of this world is that everyone is alone. For a life in the past cannot be shared with the present.
Alan LightmanRead
Events, once happened, lose reality, alter with a glance, a storm, a night. In time, the past never happened. But who could know? Who could know that the past is not as solid as this instant.
Alan LightmanRead
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