The brain evolved as a causal insulator that enables people to imagine worlds different from the present and plan for future situations.

“We can remember a past that is independent from the present in which we are, and it's necessary for us. Our comp-- uh, brain has evolved as such a causal insulator as well to allow us to give rise to universes that are different from this one, for instance, future worlds, so we can plan for being in them.”