The Concept of Self: From Birds to Buddhists
Shaun Nichols (Cornell University; Leverhulme Visiting Professor at the Uni. of Sheffield)
May 24-25-26, 2023. 6 pm-8 pm.
IN PERSON: LT-2, The Diamond, 32 Leavygreave Rd, S3 7RD, The University of Sheffield, UK.
ON-LINE: https://bit.ly/3LISE28
The concept of self generates a well-known philosophical puzzle. On the one hand, it seems easy for us to make judgments about whether, say, the person we are talking to now is the same person we met yesterday. On the other hand, it turns out to be incredibly difficult to give an intelligible account of what it is to be the same person across time. These lectures explore how birds and other non-human animals are capable of recognising and tracking other individuals (e.g., other birds), and argue that the human concept of self has emerged from these humble beginnings. The resulting concept of self is messy and metaphysically fraught. Does this mean that we should follow Buddhists and deny that there is a self? Empirical work presents a mixed verdict on the benefits of this revolution. But for many of our practices, no revolution is required. Re-identification in the animal kingdom is driven by simple heuristics specialised for particular purposes – some birds re-identify neighbours; other birds re-identify cooperators; other birds re-identify offspring. Much re-identification in humans is plausibly also driven by simple heuristics that carry little metaphysical baggage.
Lecture 1 (Wednesday, May 24, 2023): Personal identity in the wild
Lecture 2 (Thursday, May 25, 2023): The primitive self
Lecture 3 (Friday, May 26, 2023): Revisionism and the consolations of metaphysics
The lectures are open to the public. If you are interested in attending the lectures, please send an email to: l.barlassina@sheffield.ac.uk
Shaun Nichols (Cornell University; Leverhulme Visiting Professor at the Uni. of Sheffield)
May 24-25-26, 2023. 6 pm-8 pm.
IN PERSON: LT-2, The Diamond, 32 Leavygreave Rd, S3 7RD, The University of Sheffield, UK.
ON-LINE: https://bit.ly/3LISE28
The concept of self generates a well-known philosophical puzzle. On the one hand, it seems easy for us to make judgments about whether, say, the person we are talking to now is the same person we met yesterday. On the other hand, it turns out to be incredibly difficult to give an intelligible account of what it is to be the same person across time. These lectures explore how birds and other non-human animals are capable of recognising and tracking other individuals (e.g., other birds), and argue that the human concept of self has emerged from these humble beginnings. The resulting concept of self is messy and metaphysically fraught. Does this mean that we should follow Buddhists and deny that there is a self? Empirical work presents a mixed verdict on the benefits of this revolution. But for many of our practices, no revolution is required. Re-identification in the animal kingdom is driven by simple heuristics specialised for particular purposes – some birds re-identify neighbours; other birds re-identify cooperators; other birds re-identify offspring. Much re-identification in humans is plausibly also driven by simple heuristics that carry little metaphysical baggage.
Lecture 1 (Wednesday, May 24, 2023): Personal identity in the wild
Lecture 2 (Thursday, May 25, 2023): The primitive self
Lecture 3 (Friday, May 26, 2023): Revisionism and the consolations of metaphysics
The lectures are open to the public. If you are interested in attending the lectures, please send an email to: l.barlassina@sheffield.ac.uk