What does it mean to ‘search for the self’? What’s to be gained by looking for something so obvious and familiar? The Search for Self tackles this perplexing philosophical question, highlighting its central importance to our understanding of how we construct identity. Weaving various fields of study, from theory of mind to language, evolution, phenomenology, mythology, and science, the book traces the formation of the self – from the first glimmer of awareness in early cellular life to the distinctly human experience of self-reflexivity. At its heart, the book examines the relationship between consciousness and language, illustrating how language provides the symbolic realm within which the ego appears as a kind of ‘avatar’ – a linguistic representation of our physical, embodied consciousness.
Carl G. Jung once remarked: “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” By delving into the deepest core of our self-description, we make visible the hidden biases that unknowingly shape our perception of the world and our place within it. Humanity faces important and dangerous challenges through information technology and artificial intelligence. How we adapt to these changes depends more and more upon achieving a clearer view of ourselves as individuals. Seeking the true nature of our self returns to us the possibility of a transformational understanding – an awakening to our most authentic passions and life’s purpose. The Search for Self invites us to reconsider what we truly mean when we say, 'I.'