This subject explores philosophical ideas about the self and personal identity. Topics include the nature of the self, personal identity over time, personal identity and practical reason, self-deception, the self and personal relations (especially friendship), and the implications mental illnesses like multiple personality disorder, autism and psychopathy have for our concept of the self. We begin with the common-sense notion of the self due to Descartes, and then, in the light of a variety of concepts listed above we examine some key philosophical theories that have grown up in response to Descartes.
HD/FL
One session
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Descartes' theory of the self - history of ideas of the self - personal identity - personal identity and practical reason - postmodernist critiques of the self - self-deception - friendship and the self - mental illness and the self
The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: October 2020. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.