John And Lawrence
Nice discussion. We all 3 agree on one point: motion is independent on time.
So what is time ?
My definition is: Physical time is run of clocks. Clocks/time are measuring devices invented by man.
Do we still agree on that ?
If yes following question is to be answered: How that we experience motion in linear time ? The answer is: Linear time is a mind construct based on neuronal activity of the brain.
With this question of time is resolved: Universe is timeless. Time/clocks are invented to measure motion.
This is pragmatic solution of time. Barbour would like to abandon time in physics. My opinion is that is not realistic and has no sense.
Time is esential part of physics. We have only to understand it well.
Here Godel vision is fully developed and has concrete results:
Universe is without time, timeless, time is a measuring device merely.
Yours Sincerely Amrit
PS Dear J.C.N. Smith
You say: "the flow of time" is, in reality, nothing more and nothing less than the evolution of the physical universe.
I would not agree with that. Universe is timeless, evolution of universe is timeless too. We measure evolution of thde universe and in this way time enters, but only in our vision in our experience. Universe itself is timeless. Universe is NOW.
Read my essay: Today observer in physics is imprisoned in neuronal linear time. He experiences motion through the neuronal time.
Conscious (awakened) observer is aware of neuronal time. He experience motion directly as is perceived in eyes.
perception of motion - mind processing in neuronal time - experience (unconscious opbserver)
perception of motion - experience (conscious observer)
This is where physics meets with knowledge and awareness of how mind functions, with esence of Bhuddist meditation of watching, witnessing the mind