A Map of Selves: Beyond Philosophy of Mind

A Map of Selves offers a novel concept of selfhood that differs from dominant theories in analytical philosophy of mind. The author defines a self as an enduring substance with a unique quality, not shared with any other substance. He criticizes the panpsychist theory and argues for the existence of a transcendent self that explains our existence and the natural world. The book explores the implications of this concept for our understanding of ourselves and the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 102 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A Map of Selves presents a groundbreaking concept of selfhood that departs significantly from the prevailing perspectives in analytical philosophy of mind, including Cartesian, neo-Humean, materialist, and animalist notions. According to this book, a self is an enduring substance that possesses a unique quality that is consistently its own and cannot be shared with any other substance. It is often remembered by the self as its own. The author firmly maintains that we are selves as defined by this book. He critically examines the panpsychist theory, which suggests that material objects are composed of selves similar to ours. Furthermore, he argues for the existence of at least one transcendent self, whose activity explains both our own existence and the existence of the natural world. In the concluding chapter, the author explores the question of whether things would be worse for us if selves as defined by the book did not exist, and we were reduced to mere brains, sequences of mental events, hylemorphic structures, or subjects that exist only in the fleeting present.

Nathans meticulously crafted and thought-provoking book holds immense interest for scholars and students engaged in metaphysics and philosophical psychology. It offers a fresh perspective that challenges conventional notions and invites deeper exploration of the nature of self and its relationship to the broader world. Through his rigorous argumentation and innovative ideas, Nathan has contributed to the ongoing discourse in these fields, making A Map of Selves a valuable resource for anyone seeking to expand their understanding of the human mind and its place in the universe.

Weight: 208g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032228518