Document Detail


MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21988262     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
When approaching the perplexing issue of self-knowledge, two questions should be kept in mind: What type of knowledge do we expect? and, more importantly, Why does this knowledge matter for us? Among the motivations behind such an endeavor, the ethical project of self-transformation is of particular interest, for it sheds light on the inherently constructive nature of self-knowledge. Psychologists dealing with the issue of self-realization and identity formation, however, generally tend to overlook the resources offered by ethics considered as a genuine self-transformative practice (in contrast to morality as a set of rules or principles to be applied in specific contexts). The tradition of "spiritual exercises" is considered from this self-transformative perspective, as well as Plato's conception of self-knowledge ("know thyself"). Finally, Ostad Elahi's concept of the "imperious self" is examined in detail: beyond the particular context to which it belongs (spiritual ethics), the "imperious self" appears as a valuable tool for understanding the active part played by self-modeling in the process of self-transformation.
Authors:
Elie During
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences     Volume:  1234     ISSN:  1749-6632     ISO Abbreviation:  Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci.     Publication Date:  2011 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-10-12     Completed Date:  2011-12-15     Revised Date:  2011-12-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7506858     Medline TA:  Ann N Y Acad Sci     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  149-57     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
© 2011 New York Academy of Sciences.
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, University of Paris Ouest-Nanterre La Défense, Paris, France. during@ens.fr
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Humans
Knowledge
Psychology / ethics*
Self Concept*
Self Disclosure

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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