Single Idea 5675

[catalogued under 16. Persons / C. Self-Awareness / 2. Knowing the Self]

Full Idea

According to Kant, self-consciousness does not require self-knowledge, and it also appears that self-reference does not require self-knowledge.

Gist of Idea

Neither self-consciousness nor self-reference require self-knowledge

Source

Quassim Cassam (Introduction to 'Self-Knowledge' [1994], §II)

Book Reference

'Self-Knowledge', ed/tr. Cassam,Quassim [OUP 1994], p.15


A Reaction

Kant's point is that knowledge requires a stage of conceptualisation, which simple self-consciousness might not involve. The second point is that self-reference require no knowledge because error is impossible. Two nice points, and useful distinctions.