Élie During

Self-knowledge and the practice of ethics: Ostad Elahi's concept of the “imperious self”

When approaching the perplexing issue of self‐knowledge, two questions should be kept in mind: What type of knowledge do we expect? and, more importantly, Why does this knowledge matter for us? Among the motivations behind such an endeavor, the ethical project of self‐transformation is of particular interest, for it sheds light on the inherently constructive nature of self‐knowledge. Psychologists dealing with the issue of self‐realization and identity formation, however, generally tend to overlook the resources offered by ethics considered as a genuine self‐transformative practice (in contrast to morality as a set of rules or principles to be applied in specific contexts). The tradition of “spiritual exercises” is considered from this self‐transformative perspective, as well as Platos conception of self‐knowledge (“know thyself”). Finally, Ostad Elahis concept of the “imperious self” is examined in detail: beyond the particular context to which it belongs (spiritual ethics), the “imperious self” appears as a valuable tool for understanding the active part played by self‐modeling in the process of self‐transformation.

IS THERE AN EXIT FROM “VIRTUAL REALITY?” GRID AND NETWORK – FROM TRON TO THE MATRIX

The Matrix trilogy is both a philosophical machine and a powerful myth. Much of the mixed feelings or outright contempt with which it was received by many “intellectuals” is a direct result of the failure to understand this. This essay aims to show the kind of theoretical effects the film can achieve if one focuses on the main challenge The Matrix puts forth: the nature of the virtual. It uses the question whether there is an exit from “virtual reality” as a metaphor to understand virtual reality in opposition to the tantalising discourses on the “virtualisation” of the real. It gives up metaphysics in favour of a genuine pragmatics of the virtual, which is oriented towards concrete procedures and operations. In a more literal sense, the essay analyses different pictures and notions of the virtual as they appear in the tradition of science-fiction movies. In many respects The Matrix can be viewed as a counterpoint or an indirect answer to the problems already raised by Tron in 1982. The contrast between these two films is very instructive: it exposes the evolving nature of the aesthetical and philosophical challenges posed by simulated environments. It also emphasises the originality of The Matrix’s approach to the by now classical science-fiction theme of a complete simulation of reality. In this respect this essay suggests two main hypotheses: (1) that the network has become the paradigm of the virtual (cf. the importance of telephones); (2) that the virtual must be considered in terms of time, rather than space (cf. the idea of “Bullet-Time”).

Who am I? Beyond “I think, therefore I am”

Can we ever truly answer the question, “Who am I?” Moderated by Alex Voorhoeve (London School of Economics), neuro‐philosopher Elie During (University of Paris, Ouest Nanterre), cognitive scientist David Jopling (York University, Canada), social psychologist Timothy Wilson (University of Virginia), and ethicist Frances Kamm (Harvard University) examine the difficulty of achieving genuine self‐knowledge and how the pursuit of self‐knowledge plays a role in shaping the self.