The Self and Its Unity: A Perspective from Ancient Philosophy

This chapter investigates the claims that (1) the self comprises two layers, one consisting of mere self-reference, the other providing unity and autonomy of self, and (2) that the second layer can justifiably be described as an ongoing process of self-constitution. It rehearses the arguments of two prominent positions from ancient philosophy towards the self, by Plato (with a focus on the Republic) and the Stoics, which support the two claims. By way of conclusion, it compares these positions with the Pyrrhonic sceptic’s indifference towards the unity of the self and concludes with a conjecture concerning the motivational basis of the self.