{"product_id":"selves-in-doubt-9780197813980","title":"Selves in Doubt","description":"In \u003cem\u003eSelves in Doubt\u003c\/em\u003e, Eli Hirsch focuses on the importance of the first-person perspective to a normal human level of rational thought and behavior. Hirsch argues that an \"I-blind\" being--one who lacks the capacity to employ the first-person pronoun--could not be fully rational; nor could they acquire normal knowledge of physical reality. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe meaning of the first-person pronoun is shown to have a particular bearing on the anomalous context of split-brain patients and generalizations of that context. Hirsch critiques Parfit's suggestion that a better language might eliminate or revise the concept of personal identity and the use of the first-person pronoun, on the grounds that the first-person perspective must remain as it is because the capacity to employ the first-person pronoun is a necessary condition for a language to be suitable for rational beings. Hirsch also contends that, contrary to Lewis and Sider, it may be difficult to find any other necessary condition for a language to be suitable for rational beings. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA bold claim defended later in the book is that it is metaphysically impossible to be sane while doubting the reality of other selves. This claim leads to a discussion of skepticism, and the final chapter consists in reflections on how facing skepticism relates to facing death.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Eli Hirsch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/06\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 208\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.74lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.39h x 6.12w x 0.98d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780197813980","brand":"Oxford University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46836619214985,"sku":"9780197813980","price":105.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/9240\/6921\/files\/img_fdfbdcd9-2954-4bfb-969d-97617c04fe18.jpg?v=1780441137","url":"https:\/\/sonsanddaughtersbooks.com\/products\/selves-in-doubt-9780197813980","provider":"Sons and Daughters Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}