Does the past exist ?

[duszek]

And if not:

Did it exist ?

And if so: where does it exist ? or where did it exist ?

[Dalek Prime]

Does the future? Because we are the future's past. So if the past exists, then we are part of it from a future vantage point. So, either all time exists now, or just now has any solidity.

[Harbal]

And if not:

Did it exist ?

And if so: where does it exist ? or where did it exist ?

I think it's the answer to the question that doesn't exist.

[duszek]

The answer to the question does not exist yet but if we make one then it will exist.

What is it that we call "past" ?

It could be a constellation of physical facts that was some time ago and is no more now.

[duszek]

Does the future? Because we are the future's past. So if the past exists, then we are part of it from a future vantage point. So, either all time exists now, or just now has any solidity.

So for you "past" is a sort of time ?

In that case: can we say that the year 2011 existed five years ago ?

[Harbal]

Some people think that past, present and future all exist simultaneously. Then there's the school of thought that doesn't think that. There's also the school of thought that thinks something completely different from the previous two schools and, to complicate things even further, there are all the miscellaneous schools that believe all sorts of fantastic ideas. So, before we can begin to address the question, we need to establish which of these schools we are going to take our idea of "past" from. Personally, I tend towards the second school but the third also has a credible argument.

[Impenitent]

which past? the one in your memory? the one in his memory? the one in her memory?

and no, they are not the same...

-Imp

[Harbal]

which past? the one in your memory? the one in his memory? the one in her memory?

You need to make your mind up. Who's memory are we going to examine? Just to narrow it down, it's not going to be mine.

[duszek]

Mr Impenitent:

Do you assume that a past exists in a person´s memory ?
So everybody who has heard of Henry VIII and in that way remembers him keeps a particular version of this past in his memory ?

[duszek]

Some people think that past, present and future all exist simultaneously. Then there's the school of thought that doesn't think that. There's also the school of thought that thinks something completely different from the previous two schools and, to complicate things even further, there are all the miscellaneous schools that believe all sorts of fantastic ideas. So, before we can begin to address the question, we need to establish which of these schools we are going to take our idea of "past" from. Personally, I tend towards the second school but the third also has a credible argument.

I deduce from your kind contribution:

Past, present and future do not exist simultaneously. (second school of thought)

Let´s focus on this one.
So past exists in the past.

The word "past" could have two different meanings in this sentence.

Past events exist in the past period of time.

[Harbal]

Past, present and future do not exist simultaneously. (second school of thought)

I don't see why they couldn't. That was the first school of thought, by the way.

Let´s focus on this one.
So past exists in the past.

Ah, the past in the past school. Some people think this view a little outdated, it was certainly more prevalent in the past but, subject to our enquiries, that does not necessarily mean it no longer exists.

Past events exist in the past period of time.

I don't think we should bring time into this, it will only complicate things.

[Impenitent]

Mr Impenitent:

Do you assume that a past exists in a person´s memory ?
So everybody who has heard of Henry VIII and in that way remembers him keeps a particular version of this past in his memory ?

I assume similar things in other human minds, then again, I can not prove that other minds exist...

but I have a recollection of past events in my current existence...

Henry VIII is a character in a story... his-story, but no more than a character...

of course, I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry, Henry the Eighth, I am...

-Imp

[Dalek Prime]

Does the future? Because we are the future's past. So if the past exists, then we are part of it from a future vantage point. So, either all time exists now, or just now has any solidity.

So for you "past" is a sort of time ?

In that case: can we say that the year 2011 existed five years ago ?

Yes, to function properly, being as I am accustomed to marking time, I work on a straight vector timeline. 2011 was five orbits around our sun.

[Obvious Leo]

This question properly belongs in a language comprehension class for pre-schoolers rather than in a philosophy forum for grown-ups.

Present: That which is in a state of existence.

Future: That which is not yet in a state of existence.

Past: That which is no longer in a state of existence.

As always I stand willing to help out with any further questions relating to the bloody obvious.

[Dontaskme]

There is only the here and now, an eternal blank canvas, upon which the story of life is written with water-colour paint upon an ever flowing river........