If the mind were not there --- thoughts and memories -- we would not remember a previous moment, we would be in the now. So there would be no time perceived by us.
We would of course then not invent instruments that keep track of time. Is it possible that our clocks don't keep track of time, but of our notion of time. Just wondering??
The only way I can see that working requires two things:
1. We create (physical) reality to some extent at least. By thinking time exists, we are able to create something which can track the progression of something which only exists in our thoughts.
2. Jungian collective unconscious: we all seem to have the same idea of time. The sun rises, then sets, it doesn't re-wind part way through the day, or simply appear in the middle of the sky.
2b. Unless, of course, this is all a / your dream.
Not to say that this is impossible (just try to disprove it), just convoluted and counter to most of what we (seem to) know.
> Jungian collective unconscious: we all seem to have the same idea of time
No, but perhaps we are taught the same idea from childhood.
Actually believe there is a tribe where the notion of time does not exist, and their language reflects that. Some linguistic expert found that all his language theories failed w.r.t their language.
Just as an aside, for a ray of light, there is no time. Its always now.
The Piraha? There have been a few articles about them, but most of them have been rather contradictory. For instance, another oddity of their language which is frequently cited is that they don't have any subordinate clauses[1]. And all the articles then go on to show something like the following: a grammar construct which shows the equivalent function, if not the same structure:
Instead of saying, "When I have finished eating, I would like to speak with you," the Pirahãs say, "I finish eating, I speak with you."
Dissimilar structure may be weird, but it doesn't show they have no way of expressing the same meaning. Similarly with time, from the same article (mirrored many other places), it's not "no notion of time", there's just very little:
They hardly use any words associated with time and past tense verb conjugations don't exist.
"Hardly use any" and "have none" are different. Similarly, saying "no notion of time" is the same as not conjugating your verb is ludicrous. I can see no rational requirement for modifying your verbs to show past-tense in order to be understood. Do you understand this? "I run yesterday."
They may be exceptionally abnormal, but the abnormalities have been hyped in the extreme.
edit: cultural influence on language is extremely powerful, not denying that. This is specifically about the oft-mentioned tribe, which has become a bit of a pet peeve of mine; any ill-will towards you detected is unintended, just cross-fire. As I think the tribe does not fit the no-time requirement, we're back to all humans apparently comprehending time in the same way.
err umm ... actually I was speaking about a race on Arcturus, that is composed of light. "Light Beings" they call themselves. Never at rest. No concept of speed of light. (j/k).
We would of course then not invent instruments that keep track of time. Is it possible that our clocks don't keep track of time, but of our notion of time. Just wondering??