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Consciousness Quote by Sy Montgomery

“The self,” Blackmore writes, “is just a fleeting impression that arises with each experience and fades away again. . . . There is no inner self,” she argues, “only multiple parallel processes that give rise to a benign inner delusion—a useful fiction.” She argues that consciousness itself is a…” quote by Sy Montgomery
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““The self,” Blackmore writes, “is just a fleeting impression that arises with each experience and fades away again. . . . There is no inner self,” she argues, “only multiple parallel processes that give rise to a benign inner delusion—a useful fiction.” She argues that consciousness itself is a fiction. The””

Sy Montgomery

About This Quote

Source Book: The Self Illusion by Bruce Hood, 2012

The sense of a stable inner self is an illusion created by overlapping mental processes that fade with each experience.

In simple terms: The self is a fleeting impression, not a constant entity.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the fluidity of identity.

Themes

identity consciousness illusion psychology self-perception

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • therapy
  • mindfulness
  • relationship dynamics
  • self-awareness

Key Concepts

self illusion parallel processes fiction mental models

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does viewing the self as fluid affect your sense of responsibility?
  • Can you find value in the narrative continuity despite its illusory nature?
A Different Perspective

The concept may overlook the continuity people personal narrative that many find stabilizing.

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