Abstract
This first part of the book analysed the notion of self-consciousness and presented some major challenges in the current debate. Reflective theories of self-consciousness fail. The core of self-consciousness cannot be understood as a dual-digit, reflective relationship because this leads to infinite regress or vicious circularity. Likewise, it cannot be understood as propositional. Thus, a pre-reflective alternative is needed. However, current pre-reflective accounts suffer from two problems: First, they focus on what self-consciousness is not rather than what it is. This is what has been called the “ex negativo” challenge here. Additionally, non-egological, pre-reflective theories cannot explain the unity of the phenomenon.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Compare Bermudez (1998) for a similar view.
Literature
Bermudez, J.L. 1998. The Paradox of Self-consciousness. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kreuch, G. (2019). Self-Consciousness: Conclusion. In: Self-Feeling. Contributions to Phenomenology, vol 107. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30789-9_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30789-9_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-30788-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-30789-9
eBook Packages: Religion and PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religion (R0)