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Social Constructionism and the Disappearance of the «I»: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

The article provides critical analysis of social constructionist approach towards the Self that regards the Self as social construction or as fiction. The principle arguments of social constructionists supporting the renouncement of the concept of the Self are researched and their weak spots are shown. The following thesis is substantiated: the renouncement of the concept of the Self is not only unproductive, but it is also dangerous. The danger lies in the fact that this renouncement questions the possibility of the existence of the autonomous subject who can carry responsibility for one’s actions. It also questions the possibility of the understanding and dialogue between the Self and the Other.

About the Author

Elena Trufanova
Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation


References

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Review

For citations:


Trufanova E. Social Constructionism and the Disappearance of the «I»: A Critical Analysis. Russian Journal of Philosophical Sciences. 2016;(8):114-123. (In Russ.)



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ISSN 0235-1188 (Print)
ISSN 2618-8961 (Online)