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This article begins by observing that we can not learn the motivations of a fictional character because the character died and her motivations were not written

This article begins by observing that we can not learn the motivations of a fictional character because the character died and her motivations were not written in. It then imagines a fan-fiction continuation for the character then concludes that we cannot learn anything more. This keeps on going, apparently trying to ascribe self to the characters in the author's imagination. They seem to be terrified of the idea that the self is alone within the body and in response invent an elaborate fiction for why 'self' doesn't exist. - A common fear, but I suppose they are brave for exposing it even in part.

barrkel 9y ago
This notion of self - the idea of an inner homunculus with agency - has always struck me as off, since I ever could think about it. My self is an observer of my thoughts and actions; to the degree that I feel involved it is in being part of an action / reaction loop. I have a thought, observe it and react to it, which is another thought. The feeling of reaction is my self.
- creep 9y ago
  You've probably heard of the concept of ego. The idea is that the ego reacts to thoughts and observes itself and thinks it is the self, but beneath the ego is the true self-- whatever it may be. So the ego in this case would be a tool. There's also the idea that thoughts don't come from the ego, or the self, or what-have-you; the idea that the "I" does not have thoughts, that perhaps thoughts are randomly generated and something compels us to follow one thought or another, so that we think an "I" is having a thought.
- rocqua 9y ago
  You've probably heard of this, but if not this might be an interesting link: http://www.consciousentities.com/bats.htm http://www.consciousentities.com/bats.htm It is "What Is it Like to Be a Bat?" by Thomas Nagel. It is explores the experience of self. Even the opponents of this viewpoint call it "the most widely cited and influential thought experiment about consciousness." (wikipedia).

barrkel 9y ago

This notion of self - the idea of an inner homunculus with agency - has always struck me as off, since I ever could think about it. My self is an observer of my thoughts and actions; to the degree that I feel involved it is in being part of an action / reaction loop. I have a thought, observe it and react to it, which is another thought. The feeling of reaction is my self.

creep 9y ago
You've probably heard of the concept of ego. The idea is that the ego reacts to thoughts and observes itself and thinks it is the self, but beneath the ego is the true self-- whatever it may be. So the ego in this case would be a tool. There's also the idea that thoughts don't come from the ego, or the self, or what-have-you; the idea that the "I" does not have thoughts, that perhaps thoughts are randomly generated and something compels us to follow one thought or another, so that we think an "I" is having a thought.
rocqua 9y ago
You've probably heard of this, but if not this might be an interesting link: http://www.consciousentities.com/bats.htm http://www.consciousentities.com/bats.htm It is "What Is it Like to Be a Bat?" by Thomas Nagel. It is explores the experience of self. Even the opponents of this viewpoint call it "the most widely cited and influential thought experiment about consciousness." (wikipedia).