BBardon indicates that the three main categories of theories about the nature of time are idealism, realism and relationism. Idealists don't think time is real while realists do and relationists believe time is a way of relating events.Bardon begins with the Greeks. Aristotle believed that time is a measure of change and hence was a relationist. He then talks about Parmenides and Zeno who didn't believe in the reality of time. They were idealists. Their view throws a wrench into our everyday beliefs about time. He comes back to that idea multiple times.
Next he dives into Locke and Kant who were also idealists. After that comes Newton (a realist) and the opposing views of Leibniz. Einstein's theory of relativity introduces the concept of space-time which had a big effect on current theories about time.
In further chapters, he considers whether time really passes, if time has a direction, if time travel is possible, how the theories of time effect freedom and whether time does have a beginning and end.
In creating his account of the philosophy of time Bardon doesn't just refer to philosophers. He provides input from psychologists and scientists as well.
I really liked this book. At times, I saw how the ideas might be hard to wrap your head around. In spite of this, as much as possible, Bardon was able to make this a somewhat accessible topic. In the end, Bardon probably leaves us with as many questions as answers but that is ok.
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