The Expressive Self

The First Person in Speech and Thought

Ángel García Rodríguez

• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Year: 2024
• eBook ISBN: 9798216267720
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Epistemology in Philosophy

Expression is typically construed as a relation between two ontologically distinct items—namely, a vehicle and a content—but it is better construed non-relationally, since the content is an intrinsic aspect or quality of the expressive vehicle. Upon this basis, The Expressive Self: The First Person in Speech and Thought argues that the distinctive nature of the first-person perspective must be accounted for in expressive, rather than epistemic, terms. For though others can report on what one expresses, one alone is able to non-relationally express oneself; one alone is able to produce vehicles that are episodes of one's self-consciousness.

According to Ángel García Rodríguez, the ensuing expressive model of the self provides clarity on some prominent contemporary puzzles, notably Moore's paradox, self-deception, and McKinsey's paradox, given the duality of non-relationally expressive and reporting uses of the underlying first-person claims. Moreover, the phenomena of self-reference and first-person authority, both psychological and bodily, pose no objection to the model.

Throughout, the author engages critically with alternative conceptions of the self, delivering a novel account that helps advance the debate about the nature of the self and of the first person.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Part I: Models
• Part I: Models
• Chapter 1: Special Access
• Chapter 2: Expression
• Part II: Puzzles
• Part II: Puzzles
• Chapter 3: Moore’s Paradox
• Chapter 4: Self-Deception
• Chapter 5: McKinsey’s Paradox
• Part III: Challenges
• Part III: Challenges
• Chapter 6: Self-Reference
• Chapter 7: First-Person Authority
• Conclusion: The Expressive Self
• References
• Index
• About the Author