(Too) long nineteenth century: The critique of linear time and evolution

Abstract

Linear time is a standard term in many sciences and is important in the study of evolution. In this paper, several critical arguments are presented in terms of the notion of linear time from quantum mechanics over cosmological anthropic principle to the sociology of time with special reference to contemporary societies (Gurvitch). In considering the causes of contemporary crises that jeopardize liberal capitalism and democracy, and threaten the survival of humanity, the concept of ?long nineteenth century? whose features are recycled in a system of inequality and conflict on the social class-nation-empire line was proposed as an explanatory framework. As an alternative concept of time, a triple spiral has been proposed whose traces can be recognized in Simmel, and in an explicit way in works of art. Further discussion of the applicability of nonlinear time in the theory of society would probably be difficult, as it implies a paradigmatic shift from new geocentrism and the anthropic principle to the cosmic relations of human society, which can be discerned more in hermeneutic than analytical and critical approaches to society.