The Ego Trick: In Search Of The Self (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
As I entered my 40s I started thinking seriously about whether I'd figured out yet just who I am and what I really want to do "when I grow up". Am I the same person I was when I was 20? When I was 30? Am I the same person I was yesterday? With a life expectancy of at least another 50 years, is it normal to think about starting a new phase of life?Wondering if I could possibly be the only person thinking this much on the concept of self in modern society, I saw this book and thought it looked interesting and on the topic that was filling my mind.I'm not sure I'm any closer to knowing, but this book took me on a fascinating journey. Just understanding that I'm not the only one to tussle with these thoughts was definitely encouraging. This book is complex and will lead you to much more reading if you're interested in learning more. It's compelling and still accessible in its complexity though rather than being offputting or intimidating.Baggini's writing will make you think and will enthrall the curious mind. Well recommended.I've read it twice now. Date entered as finishing is the date of the more recent reading. I read this on my Kindle and when I got to the end unexpectedly early, I actually went "noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" (very quietly, as I was on the tube). I didn't want it to end.The Ego Trick is absolutely fascinating. Julian has a refreshingly thorough way of presenting ideas and thinking them through, something you don't often get with 'popular science' books.It might seem like an examination of the true nature of 'self' would be enough for a book, but what delighted me was that Julian then took his answer and then discussed how this will be challenged in the future, from what it would practically mean to live forever to transhumanism. Highly recommended.
What do You think about The Ego Trick: In Search Of The Self (2011)?
Deconstructing self, soul, memory and matter.
—eliloveboobies
