Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning

2012 Edition
| Editors: Norbert M. Seel

Development of Self-consciousness

Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_1689

Synonyms

Definition

Self-consciousness is a highly debated notion in philosophical discussions. As such, there is no general definition to be found. The same is consequently true for the development of self-consciousness; positions vary from claims of innateness up to positions maintaining that the development of self-consciousnesses is dependent on the development of higher cognitive abilities.

Self-consciousness is a special type of consciousness – whether there can be consciousness without self-consciousness is naturally still under debate. Many forms of self-consciousness can be differentiated: A major distinction can be made between fully developed forms and antecedent, not fully developed forms of self-consciousness. The former is referred to as reflexive self-consciousness or narrative self. The latter...

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References

  1. Dennett, D. C. (1991). Consciousness explained. Boston: Little, Brown.Google Scholar
  2. Frank, M. (1991). Die Unhintergehbarkeit von Individualität: Reflexionen über Subjekt, Person u. Individuum aus Anlaß ihrer “postmodernen” Toterklärung. Frankfurt: Suhrkamp.Google Scholar
  3. Mead, G. H. (1968). Geist, Identität und Gesellschaft. Frankfurt a. M: Suhrkamp.Google Scholar
  4. Metzinger, T. (2004). Being noone. Cambridge: MIT Press.Google Scholar
  5. Minsky, M. (1990). Mentopolis. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta.Google Scholar
  6. Newen, A., & Vogeley, K. (2003). Self-representation: searching for a neural signature of self-consciousness. Consciousness and Cognition, 12, 429–543.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinCenter of Integrative Life SciencesBerlinGermany