The Self & a Better Self

Forming the Self

As might be expected, «self» is a formal name given to a specific entity (i.e. form of personal functioning) which has a particular taxonomic location in the Experience Domain.

This differs from popular and even scientific discourse, where the term «self», like «mind», is commonly used vaguely as referring to either overall personal functioning or implying some specific aspect of functioning like relating or committing.

I have used the phrase «sense of self» to emphasize that the reference to «self» is a reference to an inner experience. Let me briefly recap the taxonomic details.

The sense of self is a manifestation of character, which is the Primal Effect within the Experience Domain. The current conception of the Structural Hierarchy of Experience (PsH4) is that self is generated in order to use individuality. It emerges with the triads and is therefore developed under a psychosocial pressure for performance.

The diagram at right shows the triadic grouping of Levels of Experience. As you can see, there are 5 triadic groups, each of which provides a sense of self and can be viewed as a form of self:

• G3¹: Body Self (Physical Self)
• G3²: Self-image
• G3³: Reflective Self
• G3⁴: Public Persona
• G3⁵: Higher Self

When a person talks about their own self (or the self of someone else), they may be referring to any one or more of these five experiential conditions.

The experience of self in childhood primarily revolves around the Body Self-G3¹. As these experiences are naturally variable and sometimes overwhelming, the self will be weak and will often feel weak. However, as the infant grows or, as psychologists say, individuates, the other forms of self emerge.

For any adult, including those who remain in the Emotional mode-φ1, all forms of the self are available to be used. If used effectively, then a person may be perfectly satisfied to remain with the sense of self at the Emotional mode-φ1 or any subsequent Stage.

"Strengthening" in this Spiral is about making a satisfactory adjustment in the person's own terms within a social milieu. This is a judgement that is made from the insider perspective. It does not necessarily target the quality or calibre of a person, nor does it determine a person's character.

More on the Insider Perspective

Note that when we talk about someone possessing a "strong character" or having a "weak self" or "damaged self", we are taking an outsider perspective. The person with a supposed "strong" or "weak" character does not necessarily possess a self-image of strength or weakness. The reflective self-G3³ may simply regard those manifestations that others admire or criticise as the appropriate and inevitable course of action under the circumstances.

Creating a Better Self

If strengthening the self is not about "improving quality" or "building character", then how does that occur? And where in the Taxonomy?  Answers are to be found in the Better Self Satellite.

The self that has been the focus in the Spiral analysis is an egocentric-self. This function is essential in a person's effort to survive. A stronger self has a better chance. However, an awareness of the egocentric self is the basis for evaluating it, and potentially aspiring for it to function in some better way. This may mean taking actions that lead to personal losses or even impair survival. The contrast with a self that seeks survival at any cost engenders the idea of a different and better self.

The frameworks dealing with the better self reveal the determinants of how a person may choose to manage their life overall. Being at the Root of the Taxonomy, they emerge from the Levels of Will (RH), and so depend heavily on will-power. The taxonomy's neuro-biological imperative has led to codes for living, with adherence depending on the exercise of free will.

Frameworks for existence have been discovered. A sense of rightness in living develops via Primal Quests. Goodness depends on managing egotistic tendencies. Within the Producing Goodness framework, which is a tertiary structural hierarchy: R"sH, the tetrads-G4 are specifically geared to building character. See diagram at right.

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Originally posted:  4-Jan-2016. Last amended: 20-Jun-2016.