The science of the “self” | Michael Levin

How do “you” emerge from a collection of cells? A biologist explains.

The concept of the “self” has long been considered philosophically significant: a foundation for exploring who we are and why we’re here. But where does the self begin? Developmental biologist Michael Levin explores this question, explaining how the “self” is constantly being constructed and created, starting in the early moments of embryogenesis.

Levin argues against binary categorizations of selfhood, emphasizing that it is a continuous process with no sharp lines between different stages of development or evolution. Using the example of self-organizing cells in the formation of the embryo, Levin also asserts that the self is not a singular entity — rather, it is a collection of structures working together towards a specific goal.

For Levin, the idea of the self extends to understanding the world around us, as everything we encounter is an answer to the question of what we can expect to happen next. Rather than being limited by reductionist views, Levin encourages a focus on what we can do next, highlighting the importance of actions and decisions over rigid definitions of selfhood.

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[The-Well]

What is your definition of "the self"? Did anything Michael Levin said here particularly resonate (or conflict) with your own perspective?

[Stefanwhatever]

3:12 - 3:50 this is a gold mine. Actually helpful for non-duality teaching: he says: "the self is the answer to the question "what is the system that can be counted on to do various things?" As you look into the outside world all of the objects that you see and that you deal with are answers to the question "what can I expect to happen next?" It is critical to understanding what the world is to have a model of yourself. (...) Telling that story about what you are is really critical for functioning in the world."
So the self just a model necessary for functioning. So it isn't real.

[theovermindlives]

Good video! Michael Levin's insights on the concept of self as a dynamic, evolving process from the earliest stages of development are truly enlightening. His exploration into how we construct our identities and understand the boundaries between ourselves and the external world challenges conventional notions of individuality. By drawing parallels between embryonic development and the broader evolutionary scale, Levin invites us to reconsider the binary categories that often limit our understanding of cognition and existence. This perspective not only deepens our grasp of developmental biology but also offers profound implications for our sense of self and our place in the natural world. Fascinating work!

[moderncontemplative]

Awesome! Not "we are nothing but", we are essentially energy and informational matrixes! We are the universe in a conscious and intelligible form.

[shiracohenyoga]

Beautiful! I cry from these videos because science and awe and wonder need to come back on the same page, as they always were before cartesian ideology.

[adriaanb]

Interesting point from An Immense World - Ed Young about the need of a self; all sensors looking towards the outside world need to be able to 'subtract' what it, the self, is doing from the total sensory change, to be able to distinguish what part of it can be attributed to changes in the outside world.

News is what's happening minus what is expected. Try stepping on an escalator that isn't working, you feel a surprising jolt backwards. You were expecting to be thrown forward and it didn't happen.

[charlesbrightman]

'SELF':

LANGUAGE:
Consider the following: Language, the very thing we utilize to think thoughts and convey ideas.

Un-named Concepts -> Given a Name (could be a sound, symbol, etc) -> With an attached meaning -> And maybe even other meanings depending upon context -> And maybe even other names with the same meaning.

(Basically a Dictionary and a Thesaurus for a language).

BUT:
a. How exactly do we know for 100% certainty that we have all the un-named concepts that could ever be named?
b. How exactly do we know for 100% certainty that the meanings we give named concepts are 100% correct?

We truly do not know what we do not know.

This is a part of the 'Great Unknown'. Never stop learning.

(Always have an 'unknown' in every analysis and an 'oops' in every experiment.)

Of which, an entity or a society of entities:
1. Can name their own un-named concepts.
2. Can give their own meanings to named concepts.
3. Can have alternative meanings to named concepts depending upon context.
4. Can have alternative names with the same meaning.

(Basically, create their own language that only they and they alone know).

Learn to function in the 'Great Unknown'.

(OSICA)

[whatyouseekisseekingyou]

‘’Self is the answer to the question what is the system that can be counted on to do various things’’. In my opinion, this is a succinct definition that straddles philosophy and biology in a beautiful way.

[ericjohnson]

Interesting perspective.
While I take a little bit of issue with the use of the word "self" to refer to non-humans, "entity" works better for me, or "life-form, " as "self" is also closely related to personhood, aka personality. That aspect of "self" wasn't addressed here. The example of twins ignored the fact that they each have their own personalities, even if their genetics is identical.
But I am a fan of our bio-mechanical life form and the biology that makes it up. I particularly like Michael's point about all life being engaged in problem solving addressed in one of his other videos.

[arunachalamsivaprakasam]

In Hindu thought, self is awareness. Awakening Consciousness, dream consciousness, deep consciousness. At all these levels awareness is there.Even in deep sleep, condition, next day, we say, I had good sleep. The awareness is there.

[danjones]

From the one comes the many and from the many comes the one. Our bodies started out as one and then become the many that then is again one and in a sense we are super cells. Michael Levine is someone to listen to.

[johncommon]

Well said; Bruce Lipton also preach that we are masters of ourselves and we decide.... I like your question: what's next?

[the_eternal_student]

If we could diminsh living huuman cells down to the size of photons, there is no telling what we could do.

Would being able to perfectly coordinate our photons mean having perfectly efficient conciousness and bodies with perfect energy effeciency or zero resistance to acceleration, just like the individual photons themsevles?

[Nyghl]

If the self is aware of itself, how can it be "doing the observing" yet also be being observed?

Subjects observe objects, meaning our idea of the self is as an object, distinct from the subject observing it, and not equivalent to it. Self awareness is a paradox, making the self an invalid concept.

[realfirewaltz]

Going with being “nothing but” relaxes me because I feel no need to maintain an ego or rigid identity and I can continue to learn without making personal excuses.

[walkabout]

In the dance of creation, where life takes its start,
Michael Levin explores, the "self" as an art.
Development's ballet, in embryonic grace,
The "self" unfolds, a mysterious embrace.

No binary bounds, in the realm of selfhood,
Continuous evolution, where essence withstood.
Cells self-organizing, in the embryo's dance,
A symphony of structures, in life's grand expanse.

The "self" not singular, but a collective design,
A harmonious blend, where boundaries entwine.
No sharp lines in development's chart,
The "self" evolving, a work of cellular art.

From early moments of embryogenesis,
Levin's wisdom weaves, in the intricate genesis.
No rigid definitions, in the dance of becoming,
The "self" a creation, continually humming.

A collection of structures, in purposeful unity,
The "self" extends beyond, into the world's esprit.
Understanding the world, through the lens of creation,
Each encounter, an answer, a revelation.

No reductionist views, in Levin's call,
To focus on actions, where decisions enthrall.
What we can do next, the heart of the theme,
The "self" as a journey, a flowing stream.

In the philosophy of being, where questions arise,
Levin's science dances, where wisdom lies.
The "self" in constant construction, a cosmic ballet,
A profound exploration, in the embryonic array.

[peacefulflame]

To kim jestem zależy od tego co robię next. I to się stackuje. Nie od wyteoretyzowanej tożsamości.

[chemistchemist]

This is why I also love Shannon’s information theory. Everything in this universe is based on information and it is not wasted, everything has a purpose.

[bretnetherton]

Awareness is known by awareness alone.

[thomasschon]

But how is it possible for the brain and/or the software running on a human to handle multiple tasks simultaneously? Ideally, one should be able to listen while speaking, and vice versa.
A human can't achieve multitasking by having a single self that manages interruptions because a person who has undergone split-brain surgery wouldn't be able to function in such a way. The two brain hemispheres continue to function independently of each other, even to the extent of holding different opinions. Yet, you can communicate with each hemisphere separately and discover this divergence.