For deeper academic analysis, you can find full papers and discussions on platforms like Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy . Ricoeur Oneself as Another - David Vessey
Paul Ricoeur's philosophical work, "Oneself as Another" (French title: "Soi-même comme un autre"), published in 1990, is a comprehensive exploration of the concept of self and identity. The book is a culmination of Ricoeur's long-term project to investigate the nature of human existence, action, and narrative. In this post, we will provide an overview of Ricoeur's main arguments and ideas presented in "Oneself as Another" and offer a PDF version of the book for further reading. paul ricoeur oneself as another pdf
The book culminates in Ricoeur’s "little ethics" (studies 7–9), where he defines the ethical aim as: For deeper academic analysis, you can find full
The core thesis of the book—and the reason it remains a staple in ethics courses—is Ricoeur’s concept of (selfhood) versus idem-identity (sameness). In this post, we will provide an overview
Some key concepts in Ricoeur's work include:
This refers to a selfhood that does not depend on an unchanging core. It answers the question "Who am I?" and is best exemplified by the act of promising , where a person commits to being the same in the future despite potential changes in their character or circumstances. 2. Narrative Identity
Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of the text—and the reason the title remains iconic—is the final turn in Ricoeur's argument. He posits that one cannot truly be a "self" without an "other."