Archaeologia Polona

Life in time and time in life. From biological time to time in culture

Jerzy A. Chmurzyński

Time is the fourth dimension of the material world, being a correlate of changes. Linear time with a time arrow results from averaged changes in the whole macroscopic Universe and hence is often called "absolute time", in which changes of phenomena, things (including animated objects) or their systems denote their "individual times". Cyclic rotational time depends on recurrent changes in the physical world as well as its culture, take place IN such kinds of TIME. But animals and man also use TIME IN LIFE. The duration of their acts often expresses intensity of their emotions - and hence may constitute an element of communication. The simplest time schedule of animal behaviour is denoted by the genetically determined "spatio-temporal system" of its species; individual man's time schedule of activities, both daily and during the year, moreover depends on his geographical conditions, cultural traditions and individual decisions - hence is another form of "controlling of time".

Keywords: “absolute time, biological time, linear / aperiodic time, rotational / recurrent time, time in culture

Language: English