Haven't read it in a decade (and only once!), but I'd say its about how self-reference, and roles + perspectives are consciousness. The exception proves the rul

Haven't read it in a decade (and only once!), but I'd say its about how self-reference, and roles + perspectives are consciousness. The exception proves the rule, getting into the mind-bending edge cases exposes the typical mental framing. A bit like Leonardo exploring his eye muscles with a blunt pin. Godel, quines, the phonograph ship of theseus stuff, Bach harmonies, all the self-aware dialogues. He's looking for the vital spark, the thing that makes us greater than the sum of parts. But he can't capture the essence (who can?), and settles for running around the outskirts.