Augustine
...d and use current signs to create expectations for the future. The stretching out of the soul is what we measure. When we measure the stretching of the mind we are measuring something of ourselves. Time is slowed when stretched out. This can be observed with sporting events or accidents. While events that only take a few seconds to occur when observed, the same event might feel like minutes to the person that is experiencing the event because their mind is slowed or stretched out when taking the details of the experience in. Augustine says the present mental disposition is what is measured when we measure time. These are things that are produced in the soul that no longer exist but still exist in the memory. We use the images and events as they live in our memory to determine long or short. The consideration of time is moved into the soul. The actual event cannot be used because it no longer exists; therefore cannot be measured. God sees time as we see space. He is eternal therefore “thou are before all periods of time.” He sees time as a single unit from beginning to end. Augustine rejects the notion that time is cyclical and that it repeats itself. Some philosophers have believed time is cyclical where there is a repetition in the order of nature. They believe that these events will occur without end. Augustine believes time is linear. It is a finite straight line. Time begins with creation and ends with the resurrection. He rejects the possibility that time is cyclical because there are unique events that happen one time and one time only, such as death of Christ. God sent his only son to earth, for the forgiveness of sins, an event that is only possible once. If time were cyclical, there would be another life of Christ,...