The Illusion of the Self: Are You Who You Think You Are?

Summary

In this episode of the Atlas of Being, hosts Elias Rowen and Celine Hart delve into the complex nature of the self, exploring the distinction between the minimal self and the narrative self. They discuss philosophical perspectives on identity, reductionism, and the implications for personal responsibility. The conversation also touches on the neuroscience behind self-perception, the role of mindfulness in shaping identity, and the embodied nature of selfhood. Ultimately, they challenge listeners to consider the fragility of personal identity and the narratives we construct about ourselves.

Chapters

(00:00) Exploring the Illusion of Self
(02:17) Understanding the Minimal and Narrative Self
(06:54) The Interplay of Emotion and Identity
(09:15) Philosophical Perspectives on Identity
(13:07) Parfit's Reductionist View of Self
(16:15) Thought Experiments on Identity
(20:48) The Science Behind the Sense of Self
(22:21) The Interpreter: Crafting Our Conscious Narrative
(25:09) Kahneman's Dual Selves: Experience vs. Memory
(28:42) The Default Mode Network: Our Storytelling Brain
(31:10) Buddhism and the Fluidity of Self
(33:22) Moral Responsibility: The Challenge of Identity
(35:11) Narrative Coherence and Psychological Well-Being
(36:52) Mindfulness: Disrupting the Self-Narrative
(39:26) Embodiment and the Fluidity of Identity
(43:43) The Self: A Complex, Fragile Construction

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