Varieties of Reflective Self-Consciousness in the Multidimensional Self

Abstract

The capacity to reflect on oneself is of utmost importance to human personhood. To elaborate on the manifold forms of reflective self-consciousness, this article endorses a multidimensional conception of self, according to which self-reflection essentially involves an experiential dimension. While classical analyses of reflective self-consciousness have highlighted unique epistemic and motivational features of self-conscious thoughts, I propose that the mere remarking of self-conscious thinking is insufficient for a complete analysis of reflective self-consciousness and more fine-grained conceptual tools are required. I complement the classical analyses by exploring three conceptual distinctions within different modes of self-reflection: one can reflect on oneself deliberately or theoretically, voluntarily or involuntarily, and with or without identification. In order to illustrate the significance of these conceptual distinctions, I consider changes in self-reflection in two altered states of consciousness, namely pathological depersonalization and meditation, which can also be studied to elucidate typical self-reflection. Utilizing this investigation of the variation in self-reflection, I demonstrate that reflective self-consciousness is important for mental well-being.