Time and Narrative (Paul Ricoeur)

Paul Ricoeur's "Time and Narrative" explores how human experiences of time are shaped by storytelling. He argues that narratives give structure to our understanding of time, helping us make sense of our past, present, and future. Through stories, we transform abstract time into meaningful sequences, enabling us to connect disparate events and emotions. Ricoeur emphasizes the interplay between chronological time (measured time) and lived time (personal experience), illustrating how narratives bridge these dimensions, enriching our comprehension of both individual lives and collective history. In essence, our stories shape how we perceive and experience time.