Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
57th International Phenomenology Congress, İstanbul, Türkiye, 18 - 22 Haziran 2007, cilt.102, ss.341-353
This paper tries to formulate a link between a phenomenological description of certain experiences of the co-presence of the past, present and future with the scientific theory of the block model of the universe that is based on the Einstein-Minkovski conception of spacetime. The argument that is constructed to this end utilizes Whitehead's process metaphysics. Using Whiteheads attack on the bifurcation of nature problem as my springboard, I argue that even though the passage of time as described in the block model of the universe transcends our perception of nature (i.e., the 4-dimensional space-time transcends passage of time as we perceive it), this transcendence need not introduce an unbridgeable gap between appearance and reality. I then make use of Reiser's application of Whitehead's metaphysics to Gestalt psychology to provide an explanation of our perception of time from a scientific point of view that does not conceptualize mental spacetime as bifurcated from physical spacetime. Finally, I argue, using Whiteheadian concepts, that it is possible to apprehend the block universe through sensuous experience.