To coincide with the broadcast of the Christmas Lectures, my UK publishers are giving away a free electronic extract of my new book, “The Self Illusion” today on amazon today. 
If you have an iPad or a Kindle, then you can read the opening chapters and a later one about the way we represent our selves on the internet.
I think that the message of “The Self Illusion” is going to be very controversial and upset a number of people. I already know that some colleagues disagree with the premise. In effect, I am challenging the idea that we are autonomous individuals but that rather we are a product of the history and influences of those around us.
The notion of no self will be familiar to Buddhists and philosophers alike. Buddha of course, taught that the path to enlightenment required attaining ‘annatta’ (no self) and Hume argued that there was no single core self but rather a bundle of experiences and sensations. There are not many neuroscientists who disagree with this as we are constantly reminded that the experience of the self is a product of the brain and as such, is an emergent property out of a constellation of separable processes – processes that can fail and fragment revealing the composition of the self.
I think the controversial aspect of the denial of a self is the implications and ramifications of this idea. However, there are many aspects of human experience that are similarly more apparent than real. Just because something is an illusion – not what it seems- that is no reason to try to ignore it. After all, it is there for a reason. We interact with individuals and selves – not apparitions and collective histories that define who someone is. And of course, the greatest illusion is the self illusion. Even when you know this, you cannot get rid of your self.
Ooh! Are you available for an interview about it?
Alas not yet… I am still in Ri mode but will be happy to talk about it in April when the book is published in full. I am hoping that it is published in Australia as well. So far it is UK, US, Canada, Israel and South Korea – those Koreans love their philosophy!
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While uncomfortable with (though resigned to) the premise, I look forward to the real live print edition. Congratulations!
Thank you for the free sample – an interesting read – look forward to reading the full book on publication.
Also a big thank you for the RI lectures – my children were in the audience and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Sounds very interesting. Certainly our brains are only capable of so much, therefore we are limited in our understanding of the world, ironically, by our physical composition. So where does this leave us within our respective ecosystems? Are we part of our planet’s biosphere, or are we on our own, useless in a biological sense but useful in that we may discover Higgs boson or other universes? And even that is a philisophical question, I suppose.
I’ll be interested to read this book in full…
Out of intrigue, how do you see your ideas of the self in relation to people with autistic spectrum disorder, who have difficulties mentalising and relating to other people? How do you think this influences their sense of self?
By the way, I’m enjoying your Christmas lectures
Great question & yes I do cover this briefly in the book. I think they must have a different version of the self in terms of the narrative of their lives (the ‘me’) as well as others, but not necessarily in the experience of current self (the ‘I’)
Cool. I’ve downloaded it now, thanks Bruce
I am looking forward to reading this book when published.
I wonder how your ideas can impact human relationships?!
Thank you for brilliant Christmas lectures.
I’d be interested to hear how strong is the philosophical side of your thesis. Your book seems aimed at a wide audience but your philosophical references indicate you’ve gone into the philosophical side in a lot of detail.
Do you favour a strong eliminative thesis as the Churchlands? Or do you favour a more general approach of scepticism to the existence of the self but without necessarily drawing any particular philosophical conclusions? Do you come down on any particular side later on in the book?
Forgive me if I’ve missed or overlooked something in reading the sample extract.
My own opinion is I’m tempted to agree with a strong materialist thesis but have some self-doubt as to my understanding of the counter arguments – this leaves me doubtful and as yet not entirely decided.
Hope this isn’t too irksome a question!
Best regards
I’m really looking forward to this book.
It’s been one of my bugbears for a while that people still insist on believing in the soul and spirits, and thinking there is some ethereal ‘I’ that inhabits the body.
Science disproved the notion of the soul decades ago – for example by showing that peoples personalities can change when a particular part of the brain is damaged.
Why do you think neuroscientists don’t come out and dispel these myths more often? The reality is far more interesting, incredible & magical than believing in something that isn’t true. Your book will be an important step in that direction.
Thank you for the amazing Christmas lectures too. It’s so important that children are exposed to these ideas and you delivered magnificently.
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BIG thanks for your christmas lectures !! i don’t understand every word but i ‘ve got the meaning !! i’d like to have the same program in France !! Amitiés .Nathalie
Just finished the free sample – a fascinating read
Thank you… I hope the rest of the world agrees!
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Bruce – this looks great. Are we in the same territory as Tor Norretranders’ book ‘The User Illusion’? Can’t wait.
BTW: I run a sensory innovation business in Asia and we have strong views about ‘traditonal market research’ and how it consistently misunderstands what it is to be human and refuses to recognise the illusiory nature of consciousness. I mention this because it might be the topic for another book: ‘The Trouble with Market Research’ ? Perhaps a more riveting title can be found…!