The society of selves.
Human beings are not only the most sociable animals on Earth, but also the only animals that have to ponder the separateness that comes with having a conscious self. The philosophical problem of 'other minds' nags away at people's sense of who--and why--they are. But the privacy of consciousness has an evolutionary history--and maybe even an evolutionary function. While recognizing the importance to humans of mind-reading and psychic transparency, we should consider the consequences and possible benefits of being--ultimately--psychically opaque.
Humphrey
Nicholas
N
Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK. n.humphrey@lse.ac.uk
D005075:Biological Evolution; D003243:Consciousness; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012649:Self Concept