relative time

is sensible, perceivable, external, variable, and is measured by means of motion (an hour, a day, a month, a year). It is opposed to mathematical time.

Relative, apparent, and common time is some sensible and external (whether accurate or varying in rate) measure of duration by the means of motion, which is commonly used instead of true time, such as an hour, a day, a month, a year (Ariew 1998, P 244).

is a sensible, external, variable measure of duration by the means of motion.

is the quantifiable, subjective, perceptual, observation-based, measurable version of time of the common people whereby quantities are perceived exclusively based on their relation to sensible objects.

This concept of time is the subjective version which human beings perceive. It is based on observation, and is not the essence of time, but merely how we measure it. Newton elaborates: 'Only I must observe that the common people conceive those quantities under no other notions than from their relation to sensible objects' (Ariew 1998, P 244). This is the quantifiable version of time, in which 'all things are placed in time as to order of succession' (Ariew 1998, P 245), which Newton believes lies in front of something more absolute and unchanging, something uniform and consistent. This idea of universal or absolute time seems to be rooted in a belief in god, and compared to or based on god's presence.

relative time, n.All

relative time