Bernstein’s Philosophy of Time: An Unknown Manuscript by Nikolai Bernstein (1949)

in Motor Control

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Mark L. Latash The Pennsylvania State University

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Vera L. Talis The Institute for Information Transmission Problems (Kharkevich Institute)

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/mc.2020-0114
Keywords:
causality; determinism; history of science; linguistics
First Published Online:
19 Mar 2021
In Print:
Volume 25: Issue 2
Page Range:
315–336
Restricted access

The authors have presented an unpublished manuscript by Nikolai Aleksandrovich Bernstein written in the form of a diary in 1949. Bernstein focused on the concept of time as a coordinate in four-dimensional space and discussed a variety of issues, including the definition of time, its measurement, time travel, asymmetry of the past and future, and even linguistics. In particular, he offered a definition of life tightly linked to the concept of time. Overall, this manuscript offers a glimpse into Bernstein’s thinking, his sense of humor, and his sarcasm, intimately coupled with the very serious attitude to scientific discourse.

Latash is with the Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA. Talis is with the Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, The Institute for Information Transmission Problems (Kharkevich Institute), Moscow, Russia.

Latash (mll11@psu.edu) is corresponding author.
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