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Single Idea 7381

[from 'Consciousness Explained' by Daniel C. Dennett, in 16. Persons / E. Rejecting the Self / 3. Narrative Self ]

Full Idea

Our fundamental tactic of self-protection, self-control and self-definition is telling stories, and more particularly concocting and controlling the story we tell others - and ourselves - about who we are.

Gist of Idea

We tell stories about ourselves, to protect, control and define who we are

Source

Daniel C. Dennett (Consciousness Explained [1991], 13.1)

Book Reference

Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Consciousness Explained' [Penguin 1993], p.418


A Reaction

This seems to suggest that there is someone who wants to protect themselves, and who wants to tell the stories, and does tell the stories. No one can deny the existence of this autobiographical element in our own identity.