The Looking-Glass Self: An Examination of Self-Awareness
John Canfield here presents a penetrating study of the self and self-consciousness from the point of view of contemporary analytic philosophy. Taking as his starting point Wittgenstein's views on the nature of the self, Canfield explains Wittgenstein's approach to philosophy and his way of looking at language. He also explores significant non-Wittgensteinian philosophical literature including the widespread debate over criteria of personal identity and basic assumptions about the I of such expressions as I think. The second half of the book examines how we fix or ascertain certain beliefs about ourselves—a problem not previously discussed by analytic philosophers.

Canfield begins by examining traditional theories that take the self to be a fiction of some sort. He goes on to analyze our deep-seated existential belief in self—a belief that, he notes, can coexist with a theoretical denial of self's existence. A central chapter of the book attempts to delineate clearly Wittgenstein's view of the I as a grammatical fiction. In addressing the large literature on criteria of personal identity, Canfield argues that a central assumption of that work—the notion of judging by intuition in puzzle cases—is mistaken. Turbaning his attention to forms of self-consciousness, Canfield demonstrates that the I of gut-level belief is categorically heterogeneous and, in part, fictional. Written with a minimum of jargon, this book will interest Wittgensteinian scholars as well as philosophers, social scientists, and psychoanalysts involved in the study of the self.

1102647919
The Looking-Glass Self: An Examination of Self-Awareness
John Canfield here presents a penetrating study of the self and self-consciousness from the point of view of contemporary analytic philosophy. Taking as his starting point Wittgenstein's views on the nature of the self, Canfield explains Wittgenstein's approach to philosophy and his way of looking at language. He also explores significant non-Wittgensteinian philosophical literature including the widespread debate over criteria of personal identity and basic assumptions about the I of such expressions as I think. The second half of the book examines how we fix or ascertain certain beliefs about ourselves—a problem not previously discussed by analytic philosophers.

Canfield begins by examining traditional theories that take the self to be a fiction of some sort. He goes on to analyze our deep-seated existential belief in self—a belief that, he notes, can coexist with a theoretical denial of self's existence. A central chapter of the book attempts to delineate clearly Wittgenstein's view of the I as a grammatical fiction. In addressing the large literature on criteria of personal identity, Canfield argues that a central assumption of that work—the notion of judging by intuition in puzzle cases—is mistaken. Turbaning his attention to forms of self-consciousness, Canfield demonstrates that the I of gut-level belief is categorically heterogeneous and, in part, fictional. Written with a minimum of jargon, this book will interest Wittgensteinian scholars as well as philosophers, social scientists, and psychoanalysts involved in the study of the self.

95.0 In Stock
The Looking-Glass Self: An Examination of Self-Awareness

The Looking-Glass Self: An Examination of Self-Awareness

by John V. Canfield
The Looking-Glass Self: An Examination of Self-Awareness

The Looking-Glass Self: An Examination of Self-Awareness

by John V. Canfield

Hardcover

$95.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

John Canfield here presents a penetrating study of the self and self-consciousness from the point of view of contemporary analytic philosophy. Taking as his starting point Wittgenstein's views on the nature of the self, Canfield explains Wittgenstein's approach to philosophy and his way of looking at language. He also explores significant non-Wittgensteinian philosophical literature including the widespread debate over criteria of personal identity and basic assumptions about the I of such expressions as I think. The second half of the book examines how we fix or ascertain certain beliefs about ourselves—a problem not previously discussed by analytic philosophers.

Canfield begins by examining traditional theories that take the self to be a fiction of some sort. He goes on to analyze our deep-seated existential belief in self—a belief that, he notes, can coexist with a theoretical denial of self's existence. A central chapter of the book attempts to delineate clearly Wittgenstein's view of the I as a grammatical fiction. In addressing the large literature on criteria of personal identity, Canfield argues that a central assumption of that work—the notion of judging by intuition in puzzle cases—is mistaken. Turbaning his attention to forms of self-consciousness, Canfield demonstrates that the I of gut-level belief is categorically heterogeneous and, in part, fictional. Written with a minimum of jargon, this book will interest Wittgensteinian scholars as well as philosophers, social scientists, and psychoanalysts involved in the study of the self.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780275935863
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 11/20/1990
Pages: 264
Product dimensions: 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

JOHN V. CANFIELD is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto. He edited the 15-volume set The Philosophy of Wittgenstein and is author of Wittgenstein, Language and World.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Prologue: The Floating World
Looking for the Self
The Philosophical Grammar of "I"
Personal Identity
The Persona
Forms of Self-Consciousness
No Self
Bibliography
Index

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews