Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

239 | Brian Lowery on the Social Self

Jun 12, 2023

In a thought-provoking discussion, Brian Lowery, a social psychologist at Stanford and author of "Selfless", challenges the idea of the individual self as an innate essence. He argues that our identities are social constructs, shaped by our interactions and cultural context. The conversation touches on how self-perception is influenced by societal narratives and even technology, as well as the complexities of identity in both individualistic and collectivist cultures. Lowery explores the fluidity of self-presentation, authenticity, and the masks we wear in our daily lives.

01:10:56

Episode guests

Brian S. Lowery

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Emergence of Self

5min

Exploring Self and Identity

9min

Exploring the Boundaries of Self-Perception

3min

The Fluidity of Self and Social Constructs

13min

Exploring Self-Identity and Meaningful Conversations

4min

Navigating Identity and Self-Presentation

15min

The Masks We Wear: Authenticity and Identity

7min

Navigating Identity and Social Constructs

15min

There is an image, especially in Western cultures, of the rugged, authentic, self-made individual choosing how to navigate the intricacies of the social world. But there is no mystical soul within us, manifesting as the immutable essence of self. What we think of as our "self" is shaped by our environment and our genes, and most of all by our interactions with other people. Psychologist Brian Lowery argues for a strong version of this thesis, positing that our sense of self is largely a social construct. We talk about the implications of this idea, and what it means for shifting notions of personal identity.

Post with transcript: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2023/06/12/239-brian-lowery-on-the-social-self/

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Brian Lowery received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California Los Angeles. He is currently Walter Kenneth Kilpatrick Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. His new book is Selfless: The Social Creation of "You."

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