91ÌÒÉ«

Time as a Construction of Language and Thought

In her presentation, the researcher combined philosophy, linguistics and cognitive science, demonstrating that our concept of time is not universal. In some languages, the past lies "behind us," in others, "ahead of us." For some cultures, the future "flows," for others, it "stagnates." These differences are not limited to speech patterns – they reflect different ways of thinking about the world.

Prof. Katarzyna Jaszczołt explained that language served not only a communicative function but also a cognitive one - it influenced how we interpret reality, how we remember events and how we plan for the future. This is why studying the relationship between language and thinking allows us to understand how deeply culture permeates our perception of the world.

Philosophy in Practice – The Science of Everyday Life

The lecture by Prof. Jaszczołt was not only an encounter with theory but also an inspiration for reflection on how we speak and think every day. Seemingly ordinary words like "yesterday," "tomorrow," or "now" can reveal complex cognitive processes and cross-cultural differences.

The audience saw that questions about the nature of time, while philosophical, concern each and every one of us. Because the language we use to describe the world is also the language we use to create our own reality.

Science in Dialogue with Culture

The meeting with Prof. Katarzyna Jaszczołt was held as part of a series promoting science and culture, the aim of which is to showcase science in action – not only in laboratories, but also in conversations, reflections and discussions about the world we live in.

The event was made possible thanks to funding obtained by the 91ÌÒÉ« Foundation in the OPUS Centre competition. The public project "Academic Lodz 2025 – Scientific, Creative and Multicultural" is financed from the City of Lodz budget.

Edit: Małgorzata Jasińska and Magdalena Paszko