The 'Self' Aspects: the Sense of the Existence, Identification, and Location

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Philosophy of Mind
• Psychology

Background:

• The concept of 'Self' is complex, involving self-identification, self-location, and the sense of existence.
• Existing research often focuses on partial aspects of the Self, hindering a holistic understanding.
• A comprehensive view requires integrating all components of the Self experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a holistic framework for understanding the phenomenon and construction of the Self.
• To argue for the inclusion of all experiential components in Self research.
• To present two theses on the ontological and phenomenological nature of the Self.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of existing research on the Self.
• Philosophical argumentation regarding the nature of the Self.
• Synthesis of components contributing to the experience of Self.

Main Results:

• The Self is proposed as a sentient entity, embodying subjective experience ('what it is like to be').
• Direct apprehension of the Self is not possible; instead, it is experienced through senses of existence, identification, and location.
• A unified understanding of the Self necessitates considering its multifaceted nature.

Conclusions:

• A holistic approach is crucial for comprehending the Self.
• The Self is characterized by subjective sentience and is indirectly apprehended through specific experiential components.
• Future research should integrate these components for a complete understanding of the Self phenomenon.