The Evolution of Temporal Representations in Humans and Non-Human Animals

Are you a potential PhD student interested in researching the evolution of the capacity for mental time travel? If so, then read on! 

We are seeking a postgraduate student to work on an interdisciplinary, cross-institutional project that investigates the evolution of temporal representations in humans and/or non-human animals.

Empirical research seems to show that humans and many non-human animals represent ‘when’ events happen. For instance, many animals cache supplies (usually food) for use later. What remains unclear is which (if any) kind of temporal representation is being used. For instance, it may be that such animals represent how long ago the event occurred, or that they represent that the event occurred in the past versus the future or that they represent its location on a timeline, or that they represent its location relative to a bunch of other events.

The capacity to represent when an event happens is taken to be necessary for the capacity to mentally time travel, that is the ability to remember past events (e.g., our last holidays) and imagine future ones (e.g., our next holidays). However, it remains unclear which kind of temporal representation is required, and controversial which of these representations, if any, animals have. Thus, it is still under debate whether animals can mentally time travel.

In this project we are interested in (1) exploring the different kinds of representations of “when” an event happens, (2) thinking about how these representations shape mental time travel and (3) theorising about the conditions that lead to the evolution of such representations. We aim to use philosophical methods of analysis, empirically informed by the experimental work in comparative psychology alongside modelling work, to target the question of which sorts of temporal representations are adaptive in particular environmental conditions.

The implications of this research are critical for understanding conceptions of time experienced by humans and non-human animals, and for the ethical treatment of non-human animals. 

Application Deadline:

Durham Anthropology Department application deadline: 20^th January 2025.

It is essential to contact the prospective supervisor well before this date to develop a competitive proposal.

Full details on the NINE DTP application process can be found here: https://www.ninedtp.ac.uk/the-application-process/

Funding Notes:

Applicants are in competition with other applicants in the NINE DTP.

• NINE DTP Studentship Funding Competition: https://www.ninedtp.ac.uk/making-your-application/
• University Postgraduate application: https://studyatdurham.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/