The Elusive I - Part 1 - The Cognitive Science Show

This is the first part of a series on the nature and function of the self which I will be doing with Gregg Henriques and Christopher Mastropietro. In this episode we dialogue about the problematic nature of the self and what that might imply.

[cattoes]

I don't how I would of ever been exposed to this level of dialog about ideas I find deeply interesting. Truly greatful.

[MourningTalkShow]

"The language by which we train our behavior is not the same language by which we explain our behavior." Lovely!

[RomanDobs]

This is truly the leading cutting bleeding edge of science, philosophy, and psychology and even religion the fundamental "ISNESS" of the "I" and the utter mystery of consciousness that defies explanation or definition apart from the SELF (JUNG) DA-SEIN or Dasein’s own “wakefulness” (
Wachsein) (HEIDEGGER). I think between these two thinkers the sources cannot be exhausted. That said this series looks like it is promising to go beyond even them.

[maidenmonster]

Participating in the body...with and through it. 1:15:45ish Is it coincidence that I am hearing parts of the Catholic Mass? The Eucharist is a participatory knowing and is “the body of Christ” and the prayers that are said over the bread are “through him, with him, in him.” I am not a Christian anymore but I find that I am learning more about what the faith of my childhood actually was trying to get at through these ‘secular’ dialogs. And it is so much more profound than I expected.

[forecast_hinderer]

Greg is so contagiously effervescent. Great talk, great energy 🙏🏼

[AgapicAgency]

Thank you John, thank you Gregg, thank you Christopher.. We be full of gratitude!! Let's steal the culture and install that cognitive grammar! Reinventio of the self is Here!

[freedommascot]

We create a self in order to function socially in the world. In the beginning we just have feelings regarding our position vis-a-vis survival. We identify with those feelings but don’t yet have a working self. The working self must acquire sufficient distance from its experience in order to tease out and relate to parts within its global consciousness—that is, gain perspectival awareness—to be able to act on those parts. The more parts, the more self-differentiation, the more self agency. The self is just an engine of survival, as is the entire Cosmos.

[stian.t]

This is so lovely! Thank you & thank you again, guys. I am so looking forward to follow this. Take care.

[elipb]

Wonderful content, John. The dynamics between you three works so well to create a holistic account of this problem of the self. I'm really looking forward to future episodes of this, how exciting! (One technical piece of feedback I have is to perhaps balance the audio between everyone, as Gregg's audio is quieter than yours and Christopher's). Thank you for doing this!

[mikailmaqsood]

21:54 Chris compresses the previous discussion on phenomenology so well

[dalibofurnell]

This is a trio of absolutely beautiful brains 🧠 wow one can't help but feel love

[snakescantwalk]

I'm excited to see this. It may be only barely useful information for me or my career, but it really helps me get in a flow state, working on art while listening. :)

[mohameddiouf]

This is amazing. God bless you John and your collaborators for putting this up.

[tamdai]

This is perfect for today. Can’t wait. Happy Easter sir!

[cynthiaclayton]

1) What's the self making itself out of?
2) The self doesn't seem to have boundaries, so how is it autonomous?
3) What environment is it adapting to?
These are up for discussion in the next segment of this series.
Also, these gentlemen will be exploring the connection between self, soul, and spirit.

I particularly relate to a final comment, that “this discussion begins with an embodied context of self.” The discussion will likely expand to ask: from what BASE do character, personality, and personhood rise, unfold, and develop forward as descriptors of the self?

Chris noticed a sense of “being with” in their language, as in I am not my body, I do not have a body, I participate with and through my body. I would suggest using body-mind. So back to ground zero… who is this “I” awareness?

When I say, “I was acting out of character. I’m mad at myself…” there are at least 2 of me in this realization. Actually, 3 selves in this example, the third notices the position of the other 2 and their interaction. Do we have a whole family of identities inside?

Maybe, the myth of the separate person is a mask we wear. Our BASE or Source is an infinite, non-local, timeless awareness that exists behind the mask? The mask is the means through which the play is enacted. It’s not a matter of getting rid of the mask, but identifying with it. All that's necessary is to recognize the nature of the Self behind the mask. There is liberation for the character once aligned with its true nature. It will change masks organically, becoming the greatest version of its potential.

John even promises to address the idea of life as an illusion, a dream of Consciousness, where no separate selves exist, perhaps only Knowing.

[tracywilliamsliterature]

I am always curious - nay, intrigued and fascinated - by the self of which you speak... This is the greatest mystery of life for me, magical, mystifying, often terrifying but... Thanks to these discussions i am reassured that i cant be totally insane to wonder about this every day... Great to see you three together! Best wishes from Wales as always, Tracy.

[Californiansurfer]

Listen to, live. Great show and insights. Downey California

[vixendixon]

Hi John. Sheer complexity of the subject what gets me stumble on a regular basis as well as the vocabulary. I have to say listening to your conversations with Peterson but mostly with PVK that got me at least to the position of trying to be present in a meaningful way throughout the whole process of getting to know thyself.

[nicoetic]

Thanks all for the excellent dialogue! Looking forward to the rest! <3

[JiminiCrikkit]

Feels like I'm in a cave and I thought I knew something about the concepts to which you refer, then you all flick your UV lights on and shine them on the situation and it's like ... What IS that?! :D Really looking forward to the next part. Thankyou so much for this.