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Single Idea 4006

[from 'Sources of the Self' by Charles Taylor, in 16. Persons / E. Rejecting the Self / 3. Narrative Self ]

Full Idea

As a being who grows and becomes I can only know myself through the history of my maturations and regressions, overcomings and defeats.

Gist of Idea

I can only be aware of myself as a person who changes by means of my personal history

Source

Charles Taylor (Sources of the Self [1989], §2.3)

Book Reference

Taylor,Charles: 'Sources of the Self' [CUP 1992], p.50


A Reaction

An important insight. My immediate sense of self makes my personal history central, not an extra. But a history must be a history OF something.