The central focus of this study is the problem of the self, a quest to determine personal identity, in western philosophy. This focus on the self includes the importance of error and how mistakes shape the nature of the self. Besides these two elements of the work, I was motivated to critically respond to various postmodern philosophers, who argue that the self is disappearing or in eclipse. In order to illustrate some of the issues associated with the self or personal identity, I have selected narratives from various western playwrights and novelists. I have also included a cross-cultural comparative component to clarify postmodernist positions from eastern philosophers to create a dialogue between East and West.
Western thinkers have failed to adequately address the role played by errors (physical and mental mistakes of various degrees of severity) when defining the nature of the self. The failure to account for a self that is predisposed to making mistakes highlights a shortcoming in their conception of the self. Thus, this proposed study attempts to address this gap concerning the problem of the self. By following this proposed path, this study will shine additional light on the nature of the self and give a more balanced conception of its nature. It will be argued that the self is often error-prone, a position that suggests that the self fundamentally fumbles its way through life and becomes what it is by its mistakes committed on its journey through life and to self-awareness.
The method to be employed in this study is what I call a hermeneutical dialogue that places eastern and western philosophers, novelists, and playwrights in conversation with each other to various degrees. The understanding that I am seeking involves taking a risk and entering the margins between oneself and the other. This risk places one inside an open arena of both dialogue and mutual questioning. Within the context of this type of approach to philosophy, the interpreter is the third figure who brings together thinkers from different traditions, forming a triadic relationship and dialogue. The process of this type of hermeneutics involves self-interrogation to eradicate as much as possible the pitfalls of becoming dogmatic, polemical, or political. By grounding this process in the interpreter’s historical situation, the hermeneutical dialogue moves towards a “fusion of horizons” as Hans-Georg Gadamer claims. As the dialogue unfolds, it is not unreasonable to anticipate the emergence of meaning in the encounter of the participants. Overall, the method being proposed is a descriptive process that uses one’s powers of analogical imagination, a constant working with the univocal and the equivocal to enable one to identify similarities within differences and vice versa.
This book represents the fruitful outgrowth of teaching a course on the problem of the self to undergraduate students. These classes were dialogical exchanges that were enjoyable for the students who were often searching for their identity and me. From this teaching genesis on the college on the hill, the overall approach and structure of this work began to take further shape at the University of Cambridge during my sabbatical stay at Clare Hall, a postgraduate college of the university, where I am a life-time fellow. It is always a great joy to interact with other fellows from around the globe and meet new ones during meals and lectures. It is also enjoyable to share meals and conversations with Julius and Anita Lipner while in the idyllic town of Cambridge. After a trip to central Europe and the acquiring of a foot wound, I received first-class care from Peggy, my selfless nurse, and the wonderful nurses at our local hospital. Back in town, we hosted a retirement party for my longtime friend and colleague Glenn Holland and his wife, Sandy. We want to wish them an enjoyable retirement as they join us in the Pure Land of Retirement. Finally, I profited from discussions with Lloyd Michaels of our English department about various novels. As I wrote this study of the self, I could not help but think of some good friends like Chuck Cable, Tom Erdos, Lloyd Parrill. And Larry Shin, who were battling cancer in their personal narratives.