Time and time again: a multi-scale hierarchical framework for time-consciousness and timing of cognition.
Ishan Singhal, Narayanan Srinivasan
Neuroscience of Consciousness August 12, 2021 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niab020 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Time perception Nested hierarchy Cinematic Extensional Hierarchical multiplexing Retentional Timing of cognition Time-consciousness |
| Key points | Proposes a nested hierarchical model of multiple timescales that hierarchically combines the cinematic, extensional, and retentional philosophical positions on time-consciousness, arguing they can coexist mechanistically and provide a common basis for temporal experience. The authors contend the framework organizes findings on timing of cognition and time perception and yields novel predictions for both. |
Abstract
Temporality and the feeling of 'now' is a fundamental property of consciousness. Different conceptualizations of time-consciousness have argued that both the content of our experiences and the representations of those experiences evolve in time, or neither have temporal extension, or only content does. Accounting for these different positions, we propose a nested hierarchical model of multiple timescales that accounts for findings on timing of cognition and phenomenology of temporal experience. This framework hierarchically combines the three major philosophical positions on time-consciousness (i.e. cinematic, extensional and retentional) and presents a common basis for temporal experience. We detail the properties of these hierarchical levels and speculate how they could coexist mechanistically. We also place several findings on timing and temporal experience at different levels in this hierarchy and show how they can be brought together. Finally, the framework is used to derive novel predictions for both timing of our experiences and time perception. The theoretical framework offers a novel dynamic space that can bring together sub-fields of cognitive science like perception, attention, action and consciousness research in understanding and describing our experiences both in and of time.
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| How do the brain's time and space mediate consciousness and its different dimensions? Temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC). | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The phenomenology of deep brain stimulation-induced changes in OCD: an enactive affordance-based model. | 2013 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Looking for the Self: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology and Philosophical Significance of Drug-induced Ego Dissolution | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- From Shorter to Longer Timescales: Converging Integrated Information Theory (IIT) with the Temporo-Spatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC) Entropy February 13, 2022
- As without, so within: how the brain's temporo-spatial alignment to the environment shapes consciousness Interface Focus April 14, 2023
- (Dis)confirming theories of consciousness and their predictions: towards a Lakatosian consciousness science Neuroscience of Consciousness 2024
- Reflective analysis on empirical theories in consciousness. Frontiers in Psychology September 25, 2025
- Dynamics of mental imagery. Consciousness and Cognition May 1, 2025
and 11 more in the library
Cites 12
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- Minimal phenomenal experience Philosophy and the Mind Sciences March 24, 2020
- The interplay of attention and consciousness in visual search, attentional blink and working memory consolidation. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences May 5, 2014
- In the interest of saving time: a critique of discrete perception Neuroscience of Consciousness 2018
- Duration Perception Versus Perception Duration: A Proposed Model for the Consciously Experienced Moment Timing & Time Perception August 30, 2018
and 7 more in the library