New Books in Psychology

Brett Bowden, "Now Is Not the Time: Inside Our Obsession with the Present" (Iff Books, 2024)

Nov 30, 2024
Brett Bowden, Professor of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry at Western Sydney University and author of "Now Is Not the Time: Inside Our Obsession with the Present," delves into our fixation on the present moment. He critiques tempocentrism, highlighting how it skews our understanding of history and progress. Bowden discusses the paradox of humanity’s urgency versus the slow pace of geological time and advocates for a more integrated view of our relationship with nature. His insights challenge listeners to consider the broader context of time in decision-making.
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INSIGHT

Tempocentrism

  • Humans tend to overemphasize the present, neglecting historical context.
  • This "tempocentrism" involves judging the past as inferior to the present, often morally.
INSIGHT

Tempocentrism and Eurocentrism

  • Tempocentrism, like Eurocentrism, assumes a superior position based on time.
  • It ties into Enlightenment ideas of linear progress and development, rooted in a Eurocentric worldview.
INSIGHT

Humanity vs. Geological Time

  • Humanity's focus on instantaneous action clashes with vast geological time.
  • This disconnect reflects a desire to control nature, fueled by a perceived human specialness.
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