The Self: A Necessary Illusion?

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Would humans be better off without a concept of the self? Many of our most lauded virtues–generosity, compassion, altruism–require putting others above one’s own self-interest. But despite our respect for such behaviors, the self may be a crucial part of the human psyche. At the 2016 World Science Festival, psychologist Nina Strohminger discussed her work exploring this concept with practicing Buddhists, including some surprising, and seemingly paradoxical, results.

[Video and text source: World Science Festival YouTube channel]