Self-Awareness and The Elusive Subject

Self-Awareness and The Elusive Subject explores the fact that we are certain of the existence of a subject of experience despite its being objectively and subjectively elusive. It agrees with the Buddhists and philosophers that the self cannot be found in experience but argues that the subject of experience exists and that we have certainty of the cogito. It also considers the claim that phenomenal states have "subjective character" or "mineness" and argues that they are phenomenally anonymous. Howell concludes with a deflationary account of pre-reflective self-consciousness and provides an account of basic self-awareness according to which we are most fundamentally aware of ourselves indirectly as the subject of our conscious states.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Self-Awareness and The Elusive Subject delves into the enigmatic phenomenon that we firmly believe in the existence of an experiential subject, despite its objectively and subjectively elusive nature. Objectively, it eludes us, akin to phenomenal states, as it cannot be perceived from a third-person perspective. Subjectively, it remains elusive even through introspection. On the one hand, the author aligns with Buddhist and philosophical thinkers such as Hume and Sartre, who posit that the self cannot be found within experience. On the other hand, he sides with Descartes, arguing for the existence of the subject of experience and our certainty of the cogito. Throughout the book, the author examines the assertion that phenomenal states possess a "subjective character" or "mineness" and challenges this notion by asserting that they are phenomenally anonymous. Howell concludes with a deflationary account of pre-reflective self-consciousness and presents an account of fundamental self-awareness, according to which we are primarily aware of ourselves indirectly as the subject of our conscious states.

Self-Awareness and The Elusive Subject explores the intriguing paradox that we are convinced of the existence of an experiential subject, despite its objectively and subjectively elusive nature. Objectively, it eludes us, akin to phenomenal states, as it cannot be perceived from a third-person perspective. Subjectively, it remains elusive even through introspection. On the one hand, the author aligns with Buddhist and philosophical thinkers such as Hume and Sartre, who posit that the self cannot be found within experience. On the other hand, he sides with Descartes, arguing for the existence of the subject of experience and our certainty of the cogito. Throughout the book, the author examines the assertion that phenomenal states possess a "subjective character" or "mineness" and challenges this notion by asserting that they are phenomenally anonymous. Howell concludes with a deflationary account of pre-reflective self-consciousness and presents an account of fundamental self-awareness, according to which we are primarily aware of ourselves indirectly as the subject of our conscious states.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 222 x 145 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192849236