Time and Space

Basic forms of existence of the motion of matter.

Time is the continuity, interval and sequence of the process of motion of matter, the embodiment of the rhythm of things in motion. The process of motion of anything has its continuity of being, there is a certain interval between one process of motion and another process of motion, a certain sequence, all will embody a certain rhythm, all these are the embodiments of time. Time is characterized by its one-dimensionality or irreversibility. This means that time has only one dimension, from the past to the present and from the present to the future. The saying “It’s now or never” is precisely men’s practical experience on the irreversibility of time.

Space is the extension and elongation of the motion of matter. Such extension and elongation are manifested in the volume and form of things, as well as in the relation of coexistence and state of separation of things, i.e., the position and arrangement order of things, so forth. Space is characterized by its three-dimensionality, i.e., the extension and elongation of things all proceed in three directions, and consist of three dimensions: length, width and height.

As the basic forms of existence of the motion of matter, time and space are inseparable from the motion of matter. On the one hand, time and space cannot be separated from the motion of matter, and there is no time and space apart from the motion of matter; on the other hand, the motion of matter cannot be separated from time and space either, the motion of matter can only occur within time and space. The inseparability of time and space and the motion of matter indicates the objectivity of time and space. Like the motion of matter, time and space exist objectively independent of human consciousness. Since time and space are the forms of the motion of matter and the motion of matter cannot be separated from time and space, the infinity of time and space cannot have an independent existence divorced from the finite concrete forms of matter, but is embodied in the infinity within finitude. The time and space of a concrete form of matter is finite, while the time and space of the whole material world is infinite; the objective reality of time and space of the motion of matter is absolute, while the concrete properties of time and space of the motion of matter are relative.