Does Reality Operate on Cyclical Timelines?

 Many of our assumptions have been “proven” by Science and to the extent the results are from empirical evidence and repeated and verified experiments, science has made much of our life easier, especially from a purely physical perspective.

But we all know that science has also been greatly politicized recently and often corrupted by – what else – money and power.

What if science eventually discovers evidence of cyclical time?   Would it help explain the rise of hate movements that were thought to be extinguished?

Throughout history, we have many examples of accepted beliefs being proven false, from the work of Copernicus and Galileo to the advent of Quantum Theory in the last century.

So here is what a completely different view of temporal reality was among some ancient cultures, according to an impersonal and presumably unbiased AI:

My question:  Which civilizations had cyclical conceptions of time?

ChatGPT’s response:

Several civilizations throughout history have had cyclical conceptions of time. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Ancient Indian Civilization: In Hinduism, time is conceptualized as a series of cycles known as "yugas." Each yuga represents a different era or age, characterized by specific qualities and durations. The cycle is said to repeat itself indefinitely, with each yuga following the previous one in a specific order.

2. Ancient Mayan Civilization: The Mayans had a complex cyclical calendar system known as the Long Count. This calendar consisted of several cycles of different lengths, and it was believed that the world went through a series of creations and destructions in a repetitive manner.

3. Ancient Egyptian Civilization: The ancient Egyptians had a cyclical view of time that was closely tied to the annual flooding of the Nile River. The annual flooding marked the beginning of a new agricultural cycle and was seen as a symbol of renewal and rebirth.

4. Ancient Chinese Civilization: Traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly influenced by Taoism, has a cyclical view of time. The concept of Yin and Yang, the interplay of opposing forces, is central to this worldview. The Chinese also had cyclical calendars, such as the 60-year cycle known as the Sexagenary cycle.

5. Mesoamerican Civilizations: Apart from the Mayans, other Mesoamerican civilizations like the Aztecs and the Zapotecs also had cyclical conceptions of time. They believed in the existence of multiple worlds that were destroyed and recreated in a cyclical manner.

These are just a few examples of civilizations with cyclical conceptions of time. There are many other cultures and indigenous societies around the world that have embraced similar beliefs....<<<Read More>>>...