The Essence of the Self

In Defense of the Simple View of Personal Identity

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Mind & Body
Cover of the book The Essence of the Self by Geoffrey Madell, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Geoffrey Madell ISBN: 9781317584131
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: November 20, 2014
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Geoffrey Madell
ISBN: 9781317584131
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: November 20, 2014
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In this volume, Geoffrey Madell develops a revised account of the self, making a compelling case for why the "simple" or "anti-criterial" view of personal identity warrants a robust defense. Madell critiques recent discussions of the self for focusing on features which are common to all selves, and which therefore fail to capture the uniqueness of each self. In establishing his own view of personal identity, Madell proposes (a) that there is always a gap between ‘A is f and g’ and ‘I am f and g’; (b), that a complete description of the world offered without recourse to indexicals will fail to account for the contingent truth that I am one of the persons described; and (c), that an account of conscious perspectives on the world must take into account what it means for an apparently arbitrary one of these perspectives to be mine. Engaging with contemporary positions on the first person, embodiment, psychological continuity, and other ongoing arguments, Madell contends that there can be no such thing as a criterion of personal identity through time, that no bodily or psychological continuity approach to the issue can succeed, and that personal identity through time must be absolute, not a matter of degree. Madell’s view that the nature of the self is substantively different from that of objects in the world will generate significant discussion and debate among philosophers of mind.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this volume, Geoffrey Madell develops a revised account of the self, making a compelling case for why the "simple" or "anti-criterial" view of personal identity warrants a robust defense. Madell critiques recent discussions of the self for focusing on features which are common to all selves, and which therefore fail to capture the uniqueness of each self. In establishing his own view of personal identity, Madell proposes (a) that there is always a gap between ‘A is f and g’ and ‘I am f and g’; (b), that a complete description of the world offered without recourse to indexicals will fail to account for the contingent truth that I am one of the persons described; and (c), that an account of conscious perspectives on the world must take into account what it means for an apparently arbitrary one of these perspectives to be mine. Engaging with contemporary positions on the first person, embodiment, psychological continuity, and other ongoing arguments, Madell contends that there can be no such thing as a criterion of personal identity through time, that no bodily or psychological continuity approach to the issue can succeed, and that personal identity through time must be absolute, not a matter of degree. Madell’s view that the nature of the self is substantively different from that of objects in the world will generate significant discussion and debate among philosophers of mind.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Conflicting Femininities in Medieval German Literature by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book India's New Independent Cinema by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book Japanese Governance by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book A Frequency Dictionary of Turkish by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book Hindu Perspectives on Evolution by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book Defining John Bull by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book Pain, Normality, and the Struggle for Congruence by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book State-Corporate Crime and the Commodification of Victimhood by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book Fifty Key Texts in Art History by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book Reaching Your Goals Through Innovation by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book Law for Project Managers by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book The Reforming Organization by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book Studying for Science by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book The Ashgate Research Companion to the Counter-Reformation by Geoffrey Madell
Cover of the book The Art of Mixing by Geoffrey Madell
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy