The Radically Different View of Self

In this podcast episode, the speaker presents a radical idea that challenges traditional theories of self. He discusses how the Western tradition views the self as a unified individual, while the Buddhist doctrine argues for the absence of self. The speaker introduces the concept of the braided self, suggesting that individuals are not a single unified self but rather a collection of diverse personalities or strands. He explores the evidence of this idea by examining cases of multiple personality disorder, where individuals exhibit different personalities with distinct characteristics. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the different aspects of oneself, seeing them as a team with each part contributing its unique strengths and abilities.