Time and Cognition in Economics: Towards a Time-Based Cognitive Cortinuum for Economic Enquiry

The relationship between time & cognition is examined in the context of an attempt to develop a continuum of generic cognitive systems in economics. The natures of the two types of cognitive continua -- mathematical & conceptual -- are discussed, & their respective nontemporal & temporal bases established. Following from the premise that economic concept formation is time-bound, focus is on the specific characteristics of the time-based conceptual continuum as it affects cognition in economics. A time-based cognitive continuum is developed on the basis of the combination of a time-bound perceptual reference frame -- involving the nature & durational characteristic of the economic event or process in time -- & the possible time-frames of economics -- unit, discrete & continuous. The continuum framework for economics that emerges is then compared to an anlogous time-based cognitive continuum in physics, with parallels & differences between the two highlighted accordingly. 2 Tables. Modified HA.