Ideas The philosophy behind why humans are so self-conscious
May 28, 2025
Shannon Hoff, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Memorial University and a musician, dives into the intricacies of self-consciousness. She discusses Hegel’s idea of replacing ‘I’ with ‘we’ and how our perceptions are shaped by those around us. The conversation explores the balance between belonging and confronting cultural injustices. Shannon also reflects on her passion for music and its connection to philosophical themes. Lastly, they examine the importance of perspective in understanding self-identity and the complexities of truth in journalism.
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Make Philosophy Accessible
- Connect philosophical ideas to personal experience to make them accessible.
- Simplicity in introduction enables deeper understanding of complex concepts later.
Selfhood Depends on Others
- Hegel argues that self-consciousness depends on others; our identity forms through interpersonal relations.
- The perspectives of those around us impregnate our views, values, and self-perception.
Upbringing Shapes Critical Awareness
- Shannon Hoff recalls growing up in a Dutch Christian Reformed community with strict gender roles.
- This upbringing fueled her critical awareness of exclusion and injustice within social groups.
