In Search of Self: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Personhood

by J. Wentzel Van Huyssteen (Editor), Erik P. Wiebe (Editor)

Overview

Editors J. Wentzel van Huyssteen and Erik P. Wiebe present a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary discussion on "the problem of self" — the elusive nature of the human self and all its complex dimensions. With contributions from experts in philosophy, archaeology, primatology, psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science of religion, and more, this book explores concepts of imagination, self-awareness, consciousness, religiosity, and personhood.

Contributors:
Justin Barrett
Eric Bergemann
Joao Biehl
Emma Cohen
Pamela Cooper-White
Terrence W. Deacon
Deanie Eichenstein
James W. Haag
Jan-Olav Henriksen
Ian Hodder
Catherine Keller
Barbara J. King
Jay Ogilvy
Philip A. Rolnick
Helene Tallon Russell
Calvin O. Schrag
Roger Scruton
Maxine Sheets-Johnstone
Daniel J. Siegel
Ellen Streit
Marjorie Hewitt Suchoki
Ian Tattersall
Jennifer Thweatt-Bates
Leon Turner
J. Wentzel van Huyssteen
Erik P. Wiebe
Hetty Zock

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802863867
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	04/29/2011
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

J. Wentzel van Huyssteen (1942–2022) was the James I. McCord Professor of Theology and Science at Princeton Theological Seminary. In 2003, he became the first South African and the first Princeton Seminary professor to deliver the prestigious Gifford Lectures.


Erik P. Wiebe is Associate Pastor for Christian Formation and Community Outreach at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara, CA.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments x

Introduction J. Wentzel van Huyssteen Erik P. Wiebe 1

Part 1 The Self and Origins

1 Origin of the Human Sense of Self Ian Tattersall 33

2 An Archeology of the Self: The Prehistory of Personhood Ian Hodder 50

3 Are Apes and Elephants Persons? Barbara J. King 70

4 Neuroscience and Spirituality Eric Bergemann Daniel J. Siegel Deanie Eichenstein Ellen Streit 83

5 In Search of "Folk Anthropology": The Cognitive Anthropology of the Person Emma Cohen Justin L. Barrett 104

Part 2 The Self and Multiplicity

6 Disunity and Disorder: The "Problem" of Self-Fragmentation Léon Turner 125

7 Reenactors: Theological and Psychological Reflections on "Core Selves," Multiplicity, and the Sense of Cohesion Pamela Cooper-White 141

8 The Existential Self in a Culture of Multiplicity: Hubert Hermans's Theory of the Dialogical Self Hetty Zock 163

9 The Multiple Self Helene Tallon Russell Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki 182

10 On the Elusive Nature of the Human Self: Divining the Ontological Dynamics of Animate Being Maxine Sheets-Johnstone 198

Part 3 The Self and Identity

11 The Quest for Self-Identity Calvin O. Schrag 223

12 Posthuman Selves: Bodies, Cognitive Processes, and Technologies Jennifer Thweatt-Bates 243

13 The Erotic Self and the Image of God Jan-Olav Henriksen 256

14 Human Pharmakon: The Anthropology of Technological Lives João Biehl 273

Part 4 The Self and Emergence

15 Enigmatic Experiences: Spirit, Complexity, and Person Catherine Keller 301

16 The Emergence of Self James W. Haag Terrence W. Deacon Jay Ogilvy 319

17 Neurononsense and the Soul Roger Scruton 338

18 Persons at Home in the Universe: Openness, Purpose, and Transcendence Philip A. Rolnick 357

List of Contributors 375

Index of Names 381

Index of Subjects 384

Editorial Reviews

David A. Hogue
— Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
"In Search of Self is a treasure of current cutting-edge thought about what it means to be a person. The volume's extensive scope, its rigorous scholarship, and its authors' range of disciplines position it as perhaps the best collection available today on this increasingly critical topic. Readers will find their own thoughts on the matter confirmed, questioned, provoked, and above all enriched by their encounters with this new text."

David Fergusson
— University of Edinburgh
"The editors have compiled an exciting multidisciplinary series of essays on key issues relating to human personhood. A striking collection on a major topic, this will provide scholars today with coverage of important insights, perspectives, and approaches from fields beyond their own areas of immediate expertise."

Christian Smith
— University of Notre Dame
"An intriguing collection of essays on an immensely important question about human personhood, our answers to which will have profound consequences for the future of humanity."

Christopher Southgate
— University of Cambridge
"Always stimulating, often radical, sometimes abrasive, this rich collection of essays provides a snapshot of a fascinating moment in the interdisciplinary conversation on the human self. I look forward very much to using it both for my own research and for my teaching at master's level."

From the Publisher