Time & Consciousness: Two Faces of One Mystery? Part 2

Special Relativity and Perception: The Singular Time of Psychology and Physics (by Stephen E. Robbins): Abstract: The Special Theory of Relativity (STR) holds sway as a theory of time due to its apparently successful predictive structure regarding time-related phenomena such as the increased life spans of mesons or retarded clocks on jets circling the globe, and due to the relativization of simultaneity intrinsic to this theoretical structure. Yet the very structure of the theory demands that such very real physical effects be construed as non-ontological. The scope and depth of this contradiction is explored and, if these time-changes are indeed viewed as ontological effects within STR, an additional problem for the theory is introduced in the context of perception. The origins of this confused situation arise as a result of the fact that STR is an expression of a classical, spatial metaphysic – a framework that equally underpins current discussions of the hard problem. This metaphysic holds an inadequate concept of time and a failure to acknowledge the reality of simultaneous causal flows. These problems are developed against the background of an alternative, namely, the temporal metaphysic of Bergson – a framework that provides a profoundly different base for viewing both relativity and consciousness. http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/80

Phenomenal Time and its Biological Correlates (by Ram L. P. Vimal, Christopher J. Davia)

Abstract: Our goal is to investigate the biological correlates of the first-person experience of time or phenomenal time. ‘Time’ differs in various domains, such as (i) physical time (e.g., clock time), (ii) biological time, such as the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and (iii) the perceptual rate of time. One psychophysical-measure of the perceptual rate is the critical flicker frequency (CFF), in which a flashing light is perceived as unchanging. Focusing on the inability to detect change, as in CFF, may give us insight into phenomenal time. CFF varies from 24 Hz for dim light and 60 Hz in bright light and is lower for colored lights. We propose that problem of the phenomenal time can be addressed using two contrasting but complementary approaches (inability to detect changes vs. ability to detect changes): (1) The soliton-catalytic model that entails invariant quantum coherent state for temporal frequencies (TFs) >= CFF, where flickering light is perceived as unchanging, similar to a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). (2) Temporal frequency tuned mechanisms model, which starts with ability to detect changes for TFs

Time and its Relationship to Consciousness: An Overview (by Mansoor Malik, Maria Hipolito)

Abstract: Time is one of the most fascinating and fundamental concepts in human life. Yet the physical meaning of time is far from understood. Subjective experience of time is equally intriguing and mysterious. Time may be considered an illusion according to modern physics, but its psychological impact cannot be denied. This current paper explores the conception of time in many diverse contemporary fields such as physics, psychology, psychoanalysis, phenomenology, and anthropology. Disorders of time perception and neuro­physiology of time is discussed. The idea of time as the creation of conscious mind is considered. http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/82

Time, Consciousness and the Foundations of Science (by Stephen Deiss)

Abstract: For the reasons discussed herein, it makes sense to treat consciousness as a process pervasive in nature, at all levels of complexity. It can be seen as having a type of self-similarity. Recall that time supervenes on change, change requires contrast, and the contrast has to be detected. Whatever systems are changing are sensing and recording their reaction to the contrast in their behavior and in their state change. http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/83