Time in Physics and the Human Mind: A System-Theoretical Approach

Abstract

The authors elaborate on the subject of time perception raised by R. Gruber, R. Block and C. Montemayor. Time is probably the most enigmatic and multifaceted notion, both in physics and psychology. It does not have one, clear or concise definition. Formulating such a definition seems to be hardly probable, for each definition may include only a few selected aspects of a definiendum. In this paper, the authors present physical and psychological perspectives of time. The former includes the mathematically describable concepts of time proposed by I. Newton and A. Einstein. The latter introduces a systemic outlook on motor operation construction in humans. Its ‘backbone’ is the modalities’ ladder, derived from N. Bernstein’s theory and the fact that movement is the only manifestation of all human mental activity. Each of the particular modalities of information processing – proprioceptive, contactceptive, teleceptive, verbal and symbolic – includes its specific, respective perception of time. The authors also discuss the concept of the IGUS system created by J. Hartle, the aim of which is bridging the gap between physics and psychology. However, in the presented paper an attempt is made to invent a general view on the structure of time perception in psychology and anthropokinetics, on the basis of System-Theoretical Approach (STA).