The Paradox of the Blind Actor: Why the Self is a Construct of Reflection
H.C. Schlepphorst
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) April 21, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19686191 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the individual is fundamentally invisible to themselves absent external reflection, introducing the 'Blind Actor' as a being who performs for an external world yet remains a 'ghost' to its own perception. Contends that the mirror is the primary site of ontological discovery where the 'Thinking Self' and 'Acting Self' merge into a singular identity. |
Abstract
This paper challenges the traditional Cartesian notion of the "thinking self" by proposing that the individual is fundamentally invisible to themselves in the absence of external reflection. While the internal mind exists as a subjective stream of consciousness, it lacks objective proof of identity until it is reconciled with its physical form. I introduce the concept of the "Blind Actor" - a being that performs actions for an external world to witness but remains a "ghost" to its own perception. This paper argues that the mirror is not merely an instrument of vanity but the primary site of ontological discovery, where the "Thinking Self" and the "Acting Self" merge into a singular identity.