Does the Experience of Time Flow Shape Our Ability of Causal Thinking? Metaphysics and Daily Life
Author(s) Oleksiî Polunin Publisher Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade Center for Advanced Studies Southeast Europe, University of Rijeka Published 2024 ISBN 978-86-82324-54-6 Pages 16 Edition Square
The human mind consistently generates explanations, as a comprehensible world is perceived as more secure and conducive to successful forecasting and planning. In Western and other cultures, explanations often hinge on the concept of causality. Causality serves as a framework for understanding both mundane personal events and complex phenomena such as warfare or the expansion of the Universe. Hence, this project delves into the examination of causality, specifically focusing on the role of mental representations of the flow of time in perceiving and assessing causal relationships. We investigate how the mind’s ability to produce a mental representation of temporal flow influences the recognition of causal relationships, exploring the boundaries of stable and reliable perceptions of causality, and its relevance to important social events and everyday human activities.