Cyclic time in How (Not) To Be Secular

This book is a work of theology, philosophy and sociological observation. It is a commentary on the book The Secular Age by Charles Taylor. It explores the idea that scientific logic is not the only way that humans choose to view the world. In classical physics I am used to the idea that time is a linear process that just runs on irrespective of the material world. Relativity put paid to that idea and quantum physics suggests that time is grainy and doesn't even flow smoothly. Following Taylor, James Smith notes that "There are two ways that we shape time, and thereby give shape to our world: cycles and narratives.  ...cycles of time make the world for us and thus delineate significance.... We also "gather" time in narrative and story. We organise our own identities in an implicit (or sometimes explicit) autobiographical narrative." This is not a physics way of dealing with time but as the yearly cycle of the Sun begins again on the solstice, it might be fitting to note the way that the passing of the seasons can give significance to our lives. Feeling maybe, not objective, but a powerful emotion none-the-less.