Rali Weaver
California Institute of Integral Studies, Transformative Studies, Graduate Student
Abstract: The thesis of this paper is simple: There is no time without consciousness. Immanuel Kant’s statement that “…Neither coexistence nor succession would be perceived by us, if the representation of time did not exist as a... more
Abstract:
The thesis of this paper is simple: There is no time without consciousness. Immanuel Kant’s statement that “…Neither coexistence nor succession would be perceived by us, if the representation of time did not exist as a foundation, a priori (Hsieh, 2004, p. 1).” is nonsensical when compared with Bergson’s empirical description of duration, which posits that consciousness is absolutely necessary for time to exist (Canales, 2015). Drawing from Bergson and his contemporaries this paper articulates the theories and science behind the differences between measured time and lived duration while opening a dialogue with more recent scientific studies that may support the Bergsonian philosophical premises.
The thesis of this paper is simple: There is no time without consciousness. Immanuel Kant’s statement that “…Neither coexistence nor succession would be perceived by us, if the representation of time did not exist as a foundation, a priori (Hsieh, 2004, p. 1).” is nonsensical when compared with Bergson’s empirical description of duration, which posits that consciousness is absolutely necessary for time to exist (Canales, 2015). Drawing from Bergson and his contemporaries this paper articulates the theories and science behind the differences between measured time and lived duration while opening a dialogue with more recent scientific studies that may support the Bergsonian philosophical premises.
