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Single Idea 24482

[catalogued under 16. Persons / D. Continuity of the Self / 1. Identity and the Self]

Full Idea

There is a distinction between the Subject, and one or more Selves. The Subject is the locus of consciousness, experience, reason, will, and our 'essence' (or true Self). The Selves consist of our bodies, social roles, histories and so on.

Gist of Idea

The Subject is the focus of living, and the Selves are related images

Source

G Lakoff / M Johnson (Philosophy in the Flesh [1999], 13)

A Reaction

[Based on Lakoff/Becker 1992 research] The distinction is never made clear, but seems plausible. It would make the Subject a real entity (as the brain's central control) and the Selves a set of fictions.

Book Reference

Lakoff,G/Johnson,M: 'Philosophy in the Flesh' [Basic Books 1999], p.268