The Multiple Self

by Jon Elster (Editor)

The essays in this volume consider the question of whether the self is a unity or whether it should be conceived without metaphor as divided--as a "multiple self." The issue is a central one for several disciplines. It bears directly on the account of rationality and the explanation of individual decision-making and behavior. Is the hypothesis of a multiple self required to deal with the problems of self-deception and weakness of will; and can the conceptual tools developed in the study of interpersonal conflict be applied to the analysis of intra-personal struggle? The essays, by a number of leading philosophers, psychologists, and economists, were all commissioned for this volume.

278 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Jon Elster ، born 22 February 1940, Oslo) is a Norwegian social and political theorist who has authored works in the philosophy of social science and rational choice theory. He is also a notable proponent of analytical Marxism, and a critic of neoclassical economics and public choice theory, largely on behavioral and psychological grounds.

In 2016, he was awarded the 22nd Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science for his contributions to political science.

Reviews

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Academic knowledge seems to be the knowledge to serve the ones who collect the taxes the best way an academic can. Beyond that, the requirements are vague, and never relate to the field of study. Take a quote from this paper pusher:

> Consider the analogy with nations. Two opposed countries might engage in mutual strategic interaction. They might also engage in mutual deception by planting false intelligence, including intelligence that if believed would undermine the intelligence operations of the other.

* So it's opposed and not overlapping countries.
* the countries might engage
* the countries are some sort of super-humans equipped with volition
* notice that for Elster the interaction might not be mutual
* and the need for strategic interaction -- see how smart Elster is?
* deception is something "they might also", as it is not an interaction
* notice the repetitive use of the same words as the depth of Elster's stupidity are hard to grasp by a normal mind
* and if false intelligence is not believed would build up the intelligence operations!