Inter‐temporal rationality without temporal representation

Abstract

Recent influential accounts of temporal representation—the use of mental representations with explicit temporal contents, such as before and after relations and durations—sharply distinguish representation from mere sensitivity. A common, important picture of inter‐temporal rationality is that it consists in maximizing total expected discounted utility across time. By analyzing reinforcement learning algorithms, this article shows that, given such notions of temporal representation and inter‐temporal rationality, it would be possible for an agent to achieve inter‐temporal rationality without temporal representation. It then explores potential upshots of this result for theorizing about rationality and representation.