New Philosopher, Sense of Self, Matthew Beard
As Joseph Goldstein put it, the self is like the Big Dipper; it’s a pattern that emerges when you look from one perspective, but of course, it’s not really there.17 Labels of identity, gender, group belonging—are any of these you? Take a look for a few minutes (or hours, or weeks). As a reaction, idea, or emotion arises in the mind, try to notice i
... See moreJay Michaelson • Evolving Dharma: Meditation, Buddhism, and the Next Generation of Enlightenment
An Anglican priest, Bishop Butler believed that egoism, or the exclusive pursuit of one’s own happiness, would not only interfere with but logically preclude its own achievement. Like Mill post-reversal, Butler held that a crucial condition of happiness is caring about things other than oneself. This doesn’t mean you have to be altruistic. What you
... See moreKieran Setiya • Midlife: A Philosophical Guide
The answer lies in those moments when the personal self falls away naturally and spontaneously. These occur in moments of meditation or simply deep contentment. Selfless awareness is the state we’re in when Nature or art or music creates a sense of wonder. The only difference between those moments—to which we can add all experiences of creativity,
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