“I would say that selfhood as we humans normally conceive of it emerges as we master language. As Whitehead says in “Adventures of Ideas” (I summarize), the account of the 6th day should be written, “He gave them language, and they became souls.” I think we can make distinctions between degrees of nonconscious experience (particles, molecules, plants), conscious experience (animals), and self-conscious experience (logos possessed humans). I think Sartre’s definition of selfhood is a description relevant only to language using creatures such as ourselves.” — Matt Segall

The above quote comes from process philosopher, Matt Segall. He was responding to a question from a commenter on facebook a little while ago (I had saved the conversation because I tend to do that when I read interesting things) who was looking for a little clarification with regard to the differences between “self-hood” and “consciousnesses.” The commenter references Sartre’s definition of self-hood and I think Matt’s reply was very smart and helpful.

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Print above by Jessica Eaton

Tags:bodyconscioussnessegoMindphilosophyprocess philosophyselfhoodwhitehead