A novel theoretical model is presented maintaining that consciousness evolved on the basis of time distinctions. Various models of time pertain to the existence of future, present and past. It is proposed that the future represents potentialities, the present the actualization of certain potentialities, and the past a record of actualized potentialities. Actualization of potentialities derives from micro quantum wave function collapses with specific constellations corresponding to macro level form. Consciousness provides for an awareness of potentialities being actualized in the present, the time frame of consciousness closely aligning with the time frame of potentialities being actualized in the moment. Evolution of such awareness is highly probable, given the ensuing motivation enabling behavior to be altered in the moment to minimize the actualization of maladaptive potentialities, and maximize the actualization of adaptive potentialities. The model also provides a logical proof for the occurrence of time distinctions.
Although seemingly unrelated at first glance, consciousness and time appear to be linked. But the nature of this linkage is unclear [
A problem with Smythies [
While potentially feasible, a major problem exists with Smythies’s [
A fundamental flaw that is at the heart of much of the mind-body dualistic approach is not seeing that the mind and components such as consciousness are body too! The conscious mind is brain, and not some free-floating entity, and the brain is part of the body. The linkage of the central and peripheral nervous systems and also neurotransmitters within and outside of the brain in diverse tissues, demonstrate this connection [
I propose a unique model of space-time and conscious, maintaining that the psychological arrow of time actually aligns with the nature of time itself. For the most part physics devalues the role of life and intelligence in the universe, despite that very intelligence providing the understanding that makes physics a viable discipline. In opposition to this perspective, it seems reasonable that the psychological arrow might shed light on the nature of time itself, and also the linkage between time and consciousness. I postulate that consciousness evolved on the basis of actual time distinction. Before presenting my theory a summary of consciousness and time is required.
Consciousness entails many elements but what distinguishes it from unconsciousness is awareness, and as a prelude arousal [
Another common misconception of consciousness is that only humans have the capacity. According to Fabbro et al. [
Given the energy involved in consciousness and its evolution in such a wide range of animal species, there is likely to be an evolutionary adaptive function. Very energy intensive capacities fade from the gene pool if not adaptive, and certainly do not evolve in such diverse species over millions of years once a minimum level of cognitive sophistication is achieved [
The nature of time has been endlessly debated and there are different aspects that can be focused on. As an important note, as described by Einstein [
4-D Block Model (the 4 referring to 3 spatial and 1-time dimension) maintaining that past, present and future are not absolutely distinguishable as part of the space-time landscape. Hence, there is no actual passage from future to present to past; they just occur. In a diagram form, they appear as an elongated rectangle without clear borders [
Moving Spotlight Model also predicting that past, present and future are part of the space-time landscape, but suggests that there is there is a privileged advancing present, that can be represented by a narrow bar on the rectangle [
Growing Block Model holding that there is a past arising from a present, but no future. In diagrammatic form, the forward section of the rectangle representing the future is missing [
Presentism sharply contrasts with the 4-D Block Model because it argues that only a narrow present occurs, the past and future not being real [
The author’s model of time with future, present and past distinctions, aligning with the psychological arrow of time, will now be presented. Our perception of time in terms of future-present-past (the psychological arrow of time) has been discredited as an illusion [
Options for “time travel” outside of science fiction scenarios are very limited consistent with the notion of distinctions between future, present, and past. Time dilation allows a person to travel to another person’s future, so long as the time traveler is separated in space by leaving the planet and shortly the solar system, moving close to the speed of light [
If entangled entities must abide by future, present and past, how might this align with scientific knowledge? To generate this understanding we must look at what future, present and past represent. Regarding the future, it appears to consist of potentialities varying in probability. Consider what you are doing at the moment, and what you might be doing in fifteen minutes. There are many potential options, with probability values. For example, if you’re reading, then the probability of reading and further along in the paper is greater than sleeping. It is said in physics that anything that is not impossible (according to the laws of physics and the universe) is possible, and hence has some non-zero probability. This perspective on the future is much different than the common notion of a set future that we can travel to.
In terms of the present time frame, certain future potentialities are actualized based on matter-energy interactions. For example, if in fifteen minutes you are reading and further along in the paper, then that potentiality is actualized. If you are tired and/or bored falling asleep, then that potentiality is realized. This occurrence aligns with how we can never undo what transpires in the very brief present moment. If you shout an obscenity at your partner or boss, it cannot be reversed. Likewise, if while too absorbed in your mobile device you step out in the path of a car, the collision and injuries are real. Frequently, we wish that negative occurrences can be reversed, but this is not possible. The time frame for actualizing future potentialities appears to be in the millisecond to at most a few seconds range. Actualized potential occurrences represent the past. We all have a past based on what has occurred, and this past cannot be erased or altered.
Potentialities varying in probability (future), actualization of certain potentialities (present), and actualized potentialities (past) aligns with the psychological arrow of time, although there is no “flow” per se. This explanation for the psychological arrow of time is consistent with the quantum physics principle of collapse of the wave function [
At this point critics will point out that collapse of the wave function is a quantum micro process, and simply cannot occur at a macro level, an entirely accurate statement. However, macro form is derived from micro and largely quantum processes. For instance, the form of your body is derived from countless atoms and molecules abiding by quantum processes. Are we to deny the relevance of quantum processes because they do not transpire at a macro level? Likewise, a constellation and summation of numerous micro quantum collapses of wave functions representing potentialities can provide for actualization of a given form at a macro level, with no formal collapse of a wave function occurring at the macro level. Much as atoms and molecules make up a macro form, this form can probably arise from micro-level quantum collapses of wave functions. Supporting the role of micro quantum processes in macro events, Hameroff and Penrose [
Relating the quantum process described to future-present-past, the future only consists of potentialities represented by micro quantum wave functions. The present is where macro form occurs based on a constellation of micro quantum collapses of wave functions, derived from matter-energy interactions. So-called spontaneous collapse theories propose that a quantum system can collapse without measurement or observation, and this process becomes significant when the quantum system interacts with a macroscopic object [
The process described is presented as three separate entities―future, present and past―but it almost certainly represents more of a continuous scenario derived from the interconnections. Hence, during a brief present potential form converts to actualized form derived from a constellation of micro quantum collapses of wave functions. The actualized form shifts to a quantum-based preservation of information (quantum actualization record) as the present shifts to the past. Rather than having abrupt points of demarcation it is a continuous process, likely contributing to the perception of time flowing. Linking this perspective to the general models of time presented earlier, it shares select features with each, although is very unique. Like the 4-D Block Model it maintains that past, present and future occur, but as active interconnected processes, instead of some static scenario. As with the Moving Spotlight Model the present is a narrow distinct zone, during which potentialities are actualized. The past grows from the present as with the Growing Block Model, but there is a future consisting of potentialities. Consistent with Presentism only the present transpires in the matter-energy world that we are familiar with, although the past and future do occur.
Critics might argue that the theory proposed appears to violate the notion, derived from special relativity, that objective time distinctions are not valid― time is relative to the observer. In response to this potential objection, we return to the issue of interconnected or entangled entities. Presence on Earth interconnects or entangles entities providing for essentially the same time, although the subjective experience of time almost certainly varies between species based on their unique perceptual capacities. If a person leaves the Earth and travels close to the speed of light―time dilation―that person will age much slower: The speed of light is in a sense the product of time and space, and if you travel through space near to the speed of light little is left for time, hence time slows. Aging more slowly means that time and hence the actualization of potentialities transpires at a slower rate for this person, than those still Earth bound. For example, cellular changes related to aging slow such that the person can live thousands or millions of years. When the “time traveler” returns to Earth he or she might only be a day or two older, but never younger, while people known to the person are now long deceased. The key point being that when entities become separated and are no longer connected or entangled, time can vary―it is relative. Hence special relativity is not violated by the proposed perspective on time.
Interesting, the universe seems to be structured to maintain the progressive actualization of potentialities, characterizing and perhaps defining time, because no object with mass can travel through space at the speed of light where time for the entity ceases, and it appears impossible to achieve absolute zero temperature, a scenario where all interactions, and hence collapses of wave functions, will stop. Furthermore, in the absence of any interaction entropy entails that matter- energy entities will progress from higher to lower order, ensuring that some potentiality is actualized [
An additional critique derived from the 4-D Block Model, is that future, past, and present just occur as a static entity. It is important to realize that a static perspective on time is largely derived from interpretations of certain equations [
Casting doubt on the 4-D Block Model itself is how actual temporal sequences are evident in various phenomena, such as the progression of neural activity for events. Take the example of you turning a corner and encountering an attack dog. According to Ledoux’s [
So far we have examined the nature of consciousness noting that awareness is the key feature, and time understood in terms of the future consisting of potentialities varying in probability, the present actualization of certain potentialities, and the past actualized potentialities in what I refer to as a quantum actualization record. However, we need to link consciousness to time. To do this we must know how my proposition regarding time relates to consciousness. A starting point is the present moment. Essentially, the present moment is where it all happens with potential occurrences being actualized. If you are too absorbed in your mobile device and step off the curb when a car is rapidly approaching, that fatal or very severe potential occurrence is actualized. Likewise, failure to react quickly to an attack dog will result in serious wounds. If an animal fails to respond rapidly and appropriately to a ripple on the surface of a watering hole, then that animal is a meal for the crocodile. The actualization of potentialities process occurs not at a macro level but derived from a constellation of numerous micro quantum wave function collapses.
Hence, what happens in the very brief present determines evolutionary fitness. Darwin [
Awareness of the present moment provides the capacity, particularly in regards to motivation, for rapid alterations in behavior, minimizing the actualization of maladaptive outcomes and maximizing the actualization of adaptive outcomes. It might be suggested that unconsciousness can provide for this capacity, eliminating the need for conscious awareness, at least in regards to adaptive alterations in behavior. However, while unconscious mental processing is very sophisticated, it cannot reliably motivate substantial alterations in behavior within a time frame of milliseconds to at most a few seconds. For instance, unconscious mental processing might detect a car approaching, the presence of an attack dog, or ripple on the surface of a watering hole and formulate a response, but unless the organism becomes consciously aware of the danger the time frame for behavioral alterations will pass. With conscious awareness a person is motivated to immediately halt their advance avoiding the oncoming car, react appropriately to the attack dog, and the animal jumps back depriving the lunging crocodile of a meal. In regards to positive circumstances, awareness of a potential partner showing interest can motivate you in the moment to make eye contact and smile, increasing the probability of a romance that might in turn lead to offspring. It all happens in the moment, and the motivation derived from conscious awareness is crucial for minimizing the actualization of maladaptive potentialities and maximizing adaptive outcomes.
Natural selection would then favor the evolution of consciousness as awareness of the present moment during which future potentialities are being actualized from matter-energy interactions. It is even possible that the apparent evolution of increasing cognitive sophistication is derived from the adaptive value of conscious awareness of the present moment. This process might help explain self-awareness in very cognitively advance species, because being self-aware adds to the adaptive value of conscious awareness for minimizing the actualization of maladaptive potentialities and maximizing the actualization of adaptive potentialities. For instance, if a person is aware that he tends to avoid interpersonal encounters, then when a potential partner makes eye contact and smiles, he can override his natural proclivity to avoid the situation and smile back. Self- awareness pertaining to physical limitations might lead a person to carry a walking stick when out for a stroll to defend against dangerous dogs. Self- awareness motivates behaviors, beyond what conscious awareness alone can facilitate, that enhance the actualization of adaptive outcomes and minimize the actualization of maladaptive outcomes.
Relevant to the model proposed is the time frame of consciousness and how it relates to the actualization of potentialities. The time frame for consciousness is in milliseconds to seconds [
According to the theory presented, consciousness evolved in response to selection pressures associated with actualization of potentialities occurring in the present, to minimize the actualization of maladaptive potentialities and maximize the actualization of adaptive potentialities. This occurrence (if true) actually provides a logical proof for the presence of time distinctions in the realm of physics. The argument proceeds as follows: Natural selection is a real process being well validated scientifically. Consciousness has largely or fully evolved (natural selection) on the basis of time distinctions, providing awareness of potentialities being actualized in the present to optimize evolutionary fitness. Hence, time distinctions must be real, because if invalid they could not influence evolution.
According to the theory proposed here, consciousness has evolved based on time distinctions, and provides for an organism’s awareness of potentialities being actualized in the present, based on matter-energy interactions, occurring in milliseconds and fading in seconds. Given the critical role of the actualization of potentialities process, and evolutionary significance of awareness of this process for rapid behavioral adjustments in the moment, the evolution of consciousness was highly probable, apparently arising with a basic level of cognitive sophistication. The evolution of consciousness based on time distinctions provides a logical proof of actual time distinctions.
Bowins, B. (2017) Consciousness & Time: A Time-Based Mo- del of the Evolution of Consciousness. Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science, 7, 9-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jbbs.2017.71002