Full Idea
In order to be a self the entity that acts as an agent must also be capable of conscious reasoning about its actions.
Gist of Idea
A 'self' must be capable of conscious reasonings about action
Source
John Searle (Rationality in Action [2001], Ch.3.VIII)
Book Reference
Searle,John R.: 'Rationality in Action' [MIT 2001], p.92
A Reaction
I can't accept this all-or-nothing account. A chimpanzee is some sort of 'agent', and there are bad chimpanzees you wouldn't want in your colony. Why does Searle want to cut us off in some special compound where our actions are totally different?