Experiencing objects as part of oneself

CFS Lecture by Giovanna Colombetti, Professor of Philosophy, University of Exeter, UK.

Abstract

Some objects are special to us. They are not just useful or beautiful, but we feel that they are a part of ourselves. What is it to experience an object as part of oneself, though? The answer to this question depends, of course, on what we mean by “self”. In this talk, I will argue that, just as there are many forms of self-awareness, we also experience objects as part of ourselves in different ways. The main distinction is between experiencing objects as part of the bodily self, and as part of one’s sense of identity. I present these two general cases and then analyse them further into subcases. I also explain how this topic fits into my more general project of examining how we use objects to “scaffold” our affective life.