Abstract

The structure of time in Aristotle’s and Augustine’s conceptions has been analyzed. The idea of Aristotle’s concept «now» is determined as connecting link between past and future. Aristotle brings time as permanent value into correlation with concept «now» which can delimit it. Time in Aristotle’s conception is connected with individual soul. Concept «now» is an overtime bounder of time, which explains nature of time for human understanding. Exactly in concept «now» time is being considered as pure substation with saving its ideal ontology. Concept «now» is reality indeed for human being. It expects human development and creation. In each moment of «now» a man is responsible for realizing his liberty. The Augustine’s understanding of time’s structure is also described. The new definition of Augustine’s idea of «inner word» corresponds with Aristotle’s idea of concept «now». Eternity in Augustine’s understanding is especial time of inner human space, where comprehended «inner word» constitutes the ontology of human world. The idea of Augustine’s «inner word» plays an important role in self cognition. It is extra condition of inner calmness, which gives an opportunity for individual soul to contemplate the unity of time modi. Augustine’s proves that time is immanence to consciousness. It makes a man potentially free for possibility to overcome natural necessity. Only in individual soul time passes and it is also measured by human soul. Time as а form of human soul being means the unity of reminiscence, perception and expectation. The author proves that Augustine’s time conception is the continuation of Aristotle’s theory of concept «now». Finally, an individual is able to touch Divine Eternity and he is open for creative self realizing in calmness of «inner word».