Self in time and language.
Consciousness and cognition September 1, 2011 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2010.12.006 via PubMed
Summary
The narrative self, or extended self, is not a linguistic construction but arises from mental time travel—the human ability to mentally project backward or forward in time. Narrative language itself is a product of a core brain network that includes mental time travel, mindreading, and visuo-spatial systems.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The narrative self is created by mental time travel, not by language, and narrative language stems from a core brain network involving mental time travel, mindreading, and visuo-spatial systems. |
Abstract
Time has been considered a crucial factor in distinguishing between two levels of self-awareness: the "core," or "minimal self," and the "extended," or "narrative self." Herein, I focus on this last concept of the self and, in particular, on the relationship between the narrative self and language. In opposition to the claim that the narrative self is a linguistic construction, my idea is that it is created by the functioning of mental time travel, that is, the faculty of human beings to project themselves mentally backwards in time to relive, or forward to anticipate, events. Moreover, I propose that narrative language itself should be considered a product of a core brain network that includes mechanisms, such as mental time travel, mindreading, and visuo-spatial systems.