Single Idea 3467

[catalogued under 16. Persons / C. Self-Awareness / 1. Introspection]

Full Idea

We have the visual metaphor of introspection, and the spatial metaphor of privileged access, but neither one works because I am the thing being viewed, and I am the space being entered.

Gist of Idea

Neither introspection nor privileged access makes sense

Source

John Searle (The Rediscovery of the Mind [1992], Ch. 4.II)

Book Reference

Searle,John R.: 'The Rediscovery of the Mind' [MIT 1999], p.98


A Reaction

This is quite a good warning against reliance on analogies when dealing with the unique problem of self-knowledge, though the phrase 'hall-of-mirrors' draws assent from most people concerning that topic.