Overview:
This text dives into the nature of the self as it relates to psychology. Calkins argues that the self is the fundamental fact of psychology, and not just ideas or functions. She then goes on to detail four key characteristics of the self: persistence, inclusiveness, uniqueness, and relatedness. Each of these is explained in detail and argued for based on direct experience and introspection. The text concludes by arguing that self-consciousness is an ever-present aspect of every conscious experience, albeit often vague and unanalyzed.
Main Parts:
- Introduction: Calkins restates her belief that the self is the fundamental fact of psychology, going beyond ideas or functions.
- Persistence: The self is not just a series of fleeting ideas, but exhibits a sense of identity over time, evident in both anticipation and recognition.
- Inclusiveness: The self is a complex entity encompassing various ideas, functions, and experiences.
- Uniqueness: The self is inherently distinct from other selves, experienced most clearly in emotions and volition.
- Relatedness: The self is not isolated, but inherently relational, conscious of itself in relation to others and the environment.
- The Environment: Calkins further explores the nature of the “other-than-self,” encompassing personal, abstract, and impersonal environments. She emphasizes the significance of personal relationships in defining the self.
- Self-Consciousness: The text concludes by arguing for the ever-present, albeit often vague, self-consciousness inherent in every experience.
View on Life: The text suggests a view of life as an inherently personal and relational experience. The self is not merely an abstract concept, but a living, breathing entity that exists in relationship with others and the world around it. This view emphasizes the importance of personal relationships and the constant interplay between the self and its environment.
Scenarios:
- Anticipation and Recognition: The text describes how the self’s experience of persistence is evident in anticipating future events and recognizing past experiences.
- Emotional and Volitional Consciousness: The unique nature of the self is most clearly experienced in our emotions and choices.
- Child’s Early Personification: Calkins uses the example of children personifying inanimate objects as evidence of the primary importance of personal relationships in defining the self.
Challenges:
- The “Empty Self” Objection: Calkins addresses the objection that the self, as she defines it, is an empty concept. She counters this by highlighting the self’s positive characters, such as persistence and inclusiveness.
- Persistence of Functions vs. Self: Calkins refutes the notion that functions like memory persist rather than the self, arguing that it is the self that remembers, reasons, and wills, not the function itself.
- The “Late Stage” of Self-Consciousness: Calkins refutes the argument that self-consciousness is a late development, arguing that every conscious experience inherently includes a sense of self, even if it is vague and unanalyzed.
Conflict:
- Idea vs. Self: The text presents a conflict between the idea of the self as a collection of fleeting ideas and the concept of the self as a persistent and inclusive entity. Calkins argues for the latter, stating that identity is a property of the self, not the idea.
Plot:
The text follows a clear line of argument, beginning with the assertion that the self is the fundamental fact of psychology and then elaborating on four key characteristics of the self: persistence, inclusiveness, uniqueness, and relatedness. Calkins addresses objections to her view and reinforces the argument that self-consciousness is a fundamental aspect of experience.
Point of View:
The text is written from the perspective of introspection and direct experience. Calkins emphasizes the importance of immediate experience in understanding the nature of the self, arguing that psychology must be grounded in introspection and the “immediately given.”
How It’s Written:
The text is written in a formal, academic style, characterized by clear and concise language, logical argumentation, and detailed explanations. For example, in defining persistence, Calkins states: “By ‘persistence’ is not meant the ultimate self-identity, which may well be part of the self as conceived by the philosopher, but rather the kind of identity of which one is immediately conscious notably in anticipating and in recognizing.” This exemplifies the text’s clear and precise language and its focus on immediate experience.
Tone:
The overall tone of the text is scholarly and confident. Calkins presents her arguments clearly and directly, confidently addressing objections and defending her position.
Life Choices: The text does not explicitly discuss specific life choices, but it does imply that understanding the nature of the self can inform our choices. By recognizing the self’s inherent relationality and the importance of personal relationships, we are better equipped to make choices that reflect our true selves and our connections to others.
Lessons:
- The Importance of Self-Awareness: The text highlights the importance of recognizing and understanding the self, both its inner nature and its place in the world.
- The Power of Personal Relationships: The text emphasizes the central role of personal relationships in defining the self and shaping our experiences.
- The Ever-Present Self: Calkins’ argument for the universal presence of self-consciousness suggests that we are always, in some way, aware of ourselves, even if this awareness is often vague and unanalyzed.
Characters:
While the text doesn’t contain fictional characters, it does explore the nature of the “self” as a central character.
Themes:
- Self-Identity: The text explores the nature of self-identity, both its persistent and its dynamic aspects.
- Consciousness: The text examines the nature of consciousness and its intimate connection to self-awareness.
- Relationship and Connection: The text emphasizes the importance of relationships and connections in shaping the self and our experience of the world.
Principles:
- Introspection as Foundation: The text posits that introspection and the exploration of immediate experience are fundamental to understanding the nature of the self and the workings of consciousness.
- The Self as the Basis of Psychology: The text argues that the self, not ideas or functions, should be considered the foundational concept in psychology.
Intentions:
- Calkins’ Intention: Calkins aims to clarify the nature of the self in psychology, arguing for its fundamental importance and exploring its key characteristics.
- Reader’s Intention: Readers of this text may seek to gain a deeper understanding of their own sense of self, to explore the relationship between consciousness and self-awareness, or to appreciate the significance of personal relationships in shaping their lives.
Unique Vocabulary:
- “Basal fact”: This term refers to the fundamental and essential element upon which a field of study is built.
- “Immediate experience”: This refers to the direct, unfiltered experience of consciousness, before it is analyzed or interpreted.
- “Self-relatedness”: This term describes the inherent and fundamental connection of the self to its environment and other selves.
Anecdotes:
- The Child’s Personification of Objects: This anecdote illustrates the natural tendency for children to view inanimate objects as having personal qualities, highlighting the primary importance of personal relationships in the development of the self.
Ideas:
- The Self as the Central Object of Psychology: Calkins argues that the self should be the central focus of psychology, not simply ideas or functions.
- The Self as a Persistent and Inclusive Entity: Calkins refutes the view of the self as a collection of fleeting ideas, arguing for its inherent persistence and its ability to encompass a wide range of experiences.
- Self-Consciousness as a Fundamental Aspect of Experience: Calkins asserts that self-consciousness is an ever-present, albeit often unanalyzed, element of every conscious experience.
Facts and Findings:
- The text does not rely on specific facts and findings. It primarily draws on introspection and philosophical argumentation to explore the nature of the self.
Points of View:
The text is written from a first-person perspective, reflecting Calkins’ own introspective observations and philosophical interpretations. This subjective point of view adds a personal dimension to the discussion of the self, emphasizing the individual nature of conscious experience.
Perspective:
The text offers a philosophical perspective on the nature of the self within the context of psychology. It emphasizes the importance of introspection and immediate experience in understanding the self and its key characteristics. This perspective highlights the intimate connection between consciousness, self-awareness, and personal relationships.