articleChoice Reviews OnlineFeb 1, 2010Closed access

The ego tunnel: the science of the mind and the myth of the self

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Abstract

We're used to thinking about the self as an independent entity, something that we either have or are. In The Ego Tunnel, philosopher Thomas Metzinger claims otherwise: No such thing as self exists. The conscious self is the content of model created by our brain--an internal image, but one we cannot experience as an image. Everything we experience is a virtual self in virtual reality. But if the self is not real, why and how did it evolve? How does the brain construct it? Do we still have souls, free will, personal autonomy, or moral accountability? In time when the science of cognition is becoming as controversial as evolution, The Ego Tunnel provides stunningly original take on the mystery of the mind.

Citation impact

623
total citations
FWCI
21.20
Percentile
100%
References
10
Citations per year

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Id, ego and super-ego
  • Mythology
  • Self
  • Psychology
  • Psychoanalysis
  • Aesthetics
  • Social psychology
  • Art
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Peace, Justice and strong institutions
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