Episode
Where does your sense of self come from? A scientific look | Anil Ananthaswamy
13:36
Published: Thu Jan 19 2023
Description
Our memories and bodies give us clues about who we are, but what happens when this guidance shifts? In this mind-bending talk, science writer Anil Ananthaswamy shares how the experiences of "altered selves" -- resulting from schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, foreign limb syndrome or other conditions -- shed light on the constructed nature of identity. He breaks down where our sense of self comes from and invites us to challenge our assumptions about who we are, with the aim of building a better you and a better world.
Chapters
The self that each one of us takes oneself to be is not as real as it seems, but by examining aspects of the self that seem real, we can ask ourselves just how real they are.
00:00 - 02:28 (02:28)
Summary
The self that each one of us takes oneself to be is not as real as it seems, but by examining aspects of the self that seem real, we can ask ourselves just how real they are.
EpisodeWhere does your sense of self come from? A scientific look | Anil Ananthaswamy
PodcastTED Talks Daily
The sense of agency and ownership of body parts are constructions that can fail, just like the narrative self.
02:28 - 10:37 (08:09)
Summary
The sense of agency and ownership of body parts are constructions that can fail, just like the narrative self. Alzheimer's tells us that these stories are constructs of the brain and body.
EpisodeWhere does your sense of self come from? A scientific look | Anil Ananthaswamy
PodcastTED Talks Daily
Our emotions and stories are interwoven, as our bodies shape our narratives and vice versa.
10:37 - 12:57 (02:20)
Summary
Our emotions and stories are interwoven, as our bodies shape our narratives and vice versa. Our altered selves should not be seen as deficits, but as an integral part of our unique human experience.