Attributes Quote by Douglas Hofstadter
“We create an image of who we are inside our self. The image then becomes very deeply entrenched, and it becomes the thing that we attribute responsibility to - we say "I", "I" did this because "I" wanted to, because "I" am a good person or because "I" am a bad person. The loop is the fact that we represent our selves, our desires, hopes, dreads and dreams: it is the way in which we conceive of ourselves, rather than the way we conceive of Mount Everest or of a tree. And I say it exists entirely in the loop: the self is an hallucination hallucinated by an hallucination.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Self and Identity, 1990s
He argues the self is a constructed narrative, a loop of self‑attribution that creates identity.
In simple terms: Self is a mental construct.
Key Takeaway
Question your self‑narratives.
Themes
identity
self‑concept
psychology
Mood
introspective
analytical
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- mental health
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
narrative self
hallucination theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does narrative shape behavior?
- Can we change our self‑story?
A Different Perspective
May ignore biological factors.
![“The wizard [of Oz] says look inside yourself and find self. God says look inside yourself and find [the Holy Spirit]. The first will get you to Kansas. The latter will get you to heaven. Take your pick.” quote by Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ad4/max-lucado-190_firsts_the-wizard-of-oz-says-look-inside-yourse_2354964.jpg)
