That first argument, about self-consciousness being dependent on the presence of an "other," reminded me of the master-slave dialectic in Hegel. Thanks for the thought-provoking read!
Thanks! The master-slave dialectic is really packed with insight, and can be found in the Phenomenology of Spirit, in section IV under "Self-consciousness," section number 178. It begins, "Self-consciousness exists in and for itself when, and by the fact that, it so exists for another; that is, it exists only in being acknowledged." We become self-conscious only when someone else mirrors ourselves back to ourselves, in other words.
Thanks for the elucidation. Hegel seems to share Lewis' view, or rather Lewis Hegel's view. But to my mind it is an open question, rather than a metaphysical necessity, whether self-consciousness depends on another.
That first argument, about self-consciousness being dependent on the presence of an "other," reminded me of the master-slave dialectic in Hegel. Thanks for the thought-provoking read!
Now I must confess ignorance of Hegel's master-slave dialectic. Anyways it's great to read your blog. I learn a ton from it.
Thanks! The master-slave dialectic is really packed with insight, and can be found in the Phenomenology of Spirit, in section IV under "Self-consciousness," section number 178. It begins, "Self-consciousness exists in and for itself when, and by the fact that, it so exists for another; that is, it exists only in being acknowledged." We become self-conscious only when someone else mirrors ourselves back to ourselves, in other words.
Thanks for the elucidation. Hegel seems to share Lewis' view, or rather Lewis Hegel's view. But to my mind it is an open question, rather than a metaphysical necessity, whether self-consciousness depends on another.