Full Idea
It is impossible to show how we could acquire a notion of duration if we had no memory.
Gist of Idea
Without memory we could have no concept of duration
Source
Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 3: Memory [1785], 1)
Book Reference
Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.208
A Reaction
We would probably not have a notion of duration if we possessed a memory, but nothing ever changed. Maybe in Shoemaker's frozen worlds they retain memories, but nothing happens?
Related Idea
Idea 8595 If three regions freeze every 3rd, 4th and 5th year, they all freeze together every 60 years [Shoemaker]