Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 239 | Brian Lowery on the Social Self
24 snips
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.
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The Self: A Constructed Concept
- The self is a concept we invent to understand the world, not a fundamental part of reality.
- It arises from social interactions and our place within a social network.
Out-of-Body Experience
- The out-of-body experience can be induced by stroking a person's back while they view their avatar being stroked.
- This shows our sense of self is malleable and constructed, not fixed.
Rubber Hand Illusion
- The rubber hand illusion demonstrates how easily we incorporate external objects into our sense of self.
- Stroking a rubber hand while stroking a hidden real hand makes people react as if the rubber hand is theirs.
