The 'Power of Then': The Uniquely Human Capacity to Imagine Beyond the Present

2015/01/19 by Liane Gabora, Gabora, Liane
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Physics and Astronomy · #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life #q-bio.NC

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1501.04383

6 pages, Psychology Today (online). http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mindbloggling (2010)

arxiv created 2015/01/19 · arxiv updated 2015/01/20

Abstract

Humans appear to be uniquely in their ability to transcend the present and reflect on current ideas in terms of what was experienced in the past, or fantasize about the future. This paper presents an account, in layperson terms, of how this ability came about, its importance in modern life, and why it defines our human-ness.

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