Time and Existence

Abstract

Existence means emergence or stand alone. It follows that in existence we emerge from somewhere, or achieve to stand alone where before we did not. Time is thus an integral part of existence. Yet, humans tend not to make the distinction between existence as something time-bound, at odds with atemporality, and being which is not necessarily associated with time, and hence well-aligned with timelessness. Because we do not make the distinction between the two concepts we try to have our cake and eat it too. We find comfort in not having to work out whether we really mean timelessness or everlastingness, we find the idea of eternity attractive because we do not take the next step and ask what it really means in terms of time, or absence thereof. Because of this blur, we also do not discuss whether time, and living in time, might be a derivative of atemporality, with humans emerging from atemporality to play in time, only to return to atemporality after play is up. Perhaps humans have identity in a permanent abode of atemporality, or perhaps only time confers identity. In the wild logic of quantum mechanics both might be true at the same time, in atemporality you might both have identity and not have it. Perhaps you can simultaneously both be and exist and not be and not exist!