Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Individuality

5.1 Circular causality
5.2 Unanswerable questions
5.3 The remote-control self
5.4 Personal identity
5.5 Fashion and style
5.6 Traits
5.7 Permanent identity

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5.1 Circular causality, p 48
In such a situation [complex: a maze that has complicated loops
in it], we always try to find a "path" through it by seeking
causal explanations that go in only one direction.
[it is possible, but only through "abstraction"] we have to
ignore important interactions and dependencies that run in other
directions.

5.2 Unanswerable questions, p 49
W.H. Auden: "We are all here on earth to help others. What I
can't figure out is what the others are here for."
- recursive questions
- consensus to acquit them (many social methods). Authority
saves people from wasting time.

5.3 The remote-control self, p 50
The idea of a single central Self doesn't explain anything.
(*Note Simon:(ref.doc)simon.)

5.4 Personal identity, p 51
[Identity, not unicity]

5.5 Fashion and style, p 52
Sound practical reasons for making choices that have no reasons
by themselves:
- recognizability
- uniformity
- predictability

Fredkin's paradox: The more equally attractive two alternatives
seem, the harder it can be to choose between them -no matter
that, to the same degree, the choice can only matter less.

5.6 Traits, p 53
(See roles: Sartre.)