In this paper, I analyze the similarities and differences between Kant?s and Einstein?s concept of time. I begin by examining their views on the ontological status of time, followed by their perspectives on the metric and topology of time. Finally, I focus on the question of temporal infinity and consider whether Einstein?s understanding of temporal topology might help resolve part of the problem posed by Kant?s first antinomy- the problem of the beginning of the world in time. I conclude that the relationship between their conceptions of time can be described as diametrically opposed: for Kant, time is absolute, while for Einstein, it is relative-dependent on space, the frame of reference, and the mass within it. Whereas Kant saw time as a form of intuition necessary for perception (transcendentally ideal), Einstein, as a realist, held that time possesses physical reality.
Jelena Dimitrijević (Thu,) studied this question.