The fracture in self-awareness

Dan Zahavi

Københavns Universitet

pp. 21-40

in: Dan Zahavi (ed), Self-awareness, temporality, and alterity, Deventer, Kluwer, 1998

Abstract

The detailed investigation of intentionality stands as a major achievement in 20th Century philosophy. This focus upon the ability of subjectivity to be directed toward and occupied with objects different from itself should, however, not obscure the fact that it has another important, but apparently antithetical feature, namely self-awareness. Obviously I can be aware of blooming trees, rainy mornings or the cries of playing children, but I can also be aware that these are seen, smelled and heard, that different perceptions are taking place, and that I am the one experiencing them, just as I might be aware that I am hungry, tired or happy.1