MAIN IDEA:

This book is about a human individual as a cultural entity and an object of research. The author defines it this way:” The human self is a cultural solution to natural problems: how to survive and reproduce. Humankind has succeeded very well at both of those criteria by means of a highly unusual strategy: culture. The self is a vital tool by which each human animal participates in culture. You can’t get the full benefits of culture without a self. That in turn requires a brain that can understand and perform its roles in the social system—in other words, a brain that can create a self. That’s what enables humans to create culture and reap its benefits, including better survival and reproduction.”  

The author looks at the “self” from several different points of view, such as its Evolutionary roots defined by human nature as a group member. So, evolution shapes the individual self by the need to survive within a group, which is done by playing one of many various roles within the group, communicating and cooperating with others, and complying with many rules that define the group’s culture and morality.

MY TAKE ON IT:

I think a detailed description of the human self and its relationship with other selves as a member of the group presented here is excellent, and the results of experimental research well support it. I am somewhat puzzled by the usual declarations about enormous complexities and the impossibility of understanding such things as a conscience, self, and general human behavior. As everything else related to reality, unlike purely academic or religious approach that often defines the reality of existence, the individual self, and its needs and functionality is easily understood at the high level of principles but contains a nearly infinite variety of details that makes it almost impossible to predict or control. Such a high-level principle is the duality of human nature caused by the simple fact that survival depends on combining two processes: individual survival and group survival. The details of these two processes are complex and inevitably result in benefits or costs to others. And, because they are not easily controlled from the outside, everybody should support creating and maintaining such an environment that any individual would perceive peaceful cooperation with others and maximum freedom for everybody as the preferable pattern of behavior. The alternative to freedom that always include attempts to control others is the source of many bad things in life, such as violence and whatnot.