The concept of time is deeply embedded within our understanding of reality. We organize our lives around it, plan for it, anticipate its arrival and worry about running out of it. Yet, there are many cultures that have different understandings of time and how to experience it.
Some indigenous communities view time as cyclical, while others see it as linear. In this essay, I will explore non-binary temporalities and how they can redefine ontological and ethical frameworks of being.
Non-binary temporalities refer to ways of experiencing time outside of our typical Western model. This means that instead of seeing time as a linear progression from past to present to future, these systems envision time as cyclical, spiraling, or repeating itself. These perspectives challenge traditional assumptions about the nature of existence and raise important questions about what it means to be human.
One way to think about non-binary temporalities is through the idea of nonlinear time. Here, time is not a series of moments arranged in order but rather an interconnected web of experiences. Everything exists simultaneously, and all events are connected to one another. This perspective challenges our notion of causality, which assumes that every event has a cause and effect relationship with other events. Nonlinearity suggests that everything is happening at once, and each moment contains all possible futures and pasts.
Another way to approach non-binary temporalities is through the idea of circular time. Here, time moves in cycles, repeating patterns that never end. In this framework, nothing truly disappears; it simply becomes absorbed into the next cycle. This perspective challenges our assumption that things come into existence and then cease to exist. It also suggests that we can gain insight into the past by studying the present and that the future may already be predetermined based on current actions.
Non-binary temporalities can involve viewing time as multidimensional. Here, time does not move in a straight line but exists on multiple planes. This perspective challenges our assumption that there is only one reality and highlights the possibility of parallel universes and alternate timelines.
Non-binary temporalities have significant implications for ontology, which refers to how we understand the nature of being. By redefining our understanding of time, these perspectives challenge traditional conceptions of what it means to be human.
If time is cyclical, then individuals may experience themselves as returning to their essence over and over again, with no beginning or end. If time is nonlinear, then individuals may see themselves as part of an infinite network of experiences. If time is multi-dimensional, then individuals may explore multiple versions of themselves simultaneously.
Non-binary temporalities also raise important ethical questions about responsibility and agency. If time is cyclical, then individuals may feel responsible for their own actions across lifetimes. If time is nonlinear, then individuals may see themselves as agents who shape their futures through choices they make today. And if time is multidimensional, then individuals may recognize the interconnectedness between different versions of themselves, leading to greater empathy and compassion for others.
Exploring non-binary temporalities can help us redefine our assumptions about existence, identity, and moral philosophy. By challenging linear, causal, and singular views of time, we can open up new ways of thinking about ourselves and our place in the world. Through this lens, we may find deeper meaning and purpose in life while still recognizing the complexity and beauty of our experiences.
How might non-binary temporalities redefine ontological and ethical frameworks of being?
Non-binary temporalities can be conceptualized as an alternative framework that challenges traditional linear understandings of time, which are often rooted in Western cultural assumptions about progress and sequentiality. Accordingly, non-binary temporalities emphasize multiple dimensions of time that interact with each other and do not follow a strict chronology.