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Losing Ourselves

Book Shelter

Losing Ourselves: Learning to Live without a Self

Published
April 10, 2026
Duration
22:19
Summary source
description
Last updated
May 24, 2026

Discusses society, culture.

Summary

Explores the philosophical concept of the self versus the person, arguing that the idea of a fixed, independent self is an illusion. Garfield posits that understanding ourselves as persons, who are interdependent and socially constructed, leads to a more ethical and flourishing existence. The text references classical Indian and Western philosophical trad…

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Show notes

Explores the philosophical concept of the self versus the person, arguing that the idea of a fixed, independent self is an illusion. Garfield posits that understanding ourselves as persons, who are interdependent and socially constructed, leads to a more ethical and flourishing existence. The text references classical Indian and Western philosophical traditions, employing analogies like chariots, flames, and money to illustrate the conventional nature of personal identity, as opposed to a fundam

Themes

  • society
  • culture
Losing Ourselves: Losing Ourselves: Learning to Live without a Self | Book Shelter | Vagelintel