[The fragility of the self].

Abstract

This presentation raises the hypothesis that the "self" is a construction of the brain and extremely fragile. In order to support this statement, Prof. Rubia provides three different reasonings: firstly, we are not borne with the "self", but rather it is the result of development during childhood; secondly, the self is subject to cultural influences, so that the perception of this "self" or of the own personality varies according to different cultures. And thirdly, the self is not indivisible, as shown by epileptic patients with a "split-brain" operation, or the psychiatric cases of double personality or the multiple personality disorder.

• Authors: Francisco José Rubia Vila
• Journal: Anales de la Real Academia Nacional de Medicina (An R Acad Nac Med (Madr)) Vol. 119 Issue 3 Pg. 447-55; discussion 455-9 ( 2002) ISSN: 0034-0634 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: La fragilidad del yo.
• PMID: 12812035 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Brain (physiopathology)
• Culture
• Defense Mechanisms
• Dissociative Identity Disorder (psychology)
• Ego
• Epilepsy (psychology)
• Humans
• Personality