• Self is an illusory modelling construct created by perceptual systems of Agents

paraphrase

• Self is an illusory modelling construct created by perceptual systems of Agents
• Agents construct models of causal Selves for others, and for ourselves, using the same machinery.
• The same mechanisms that cause an agent to act toward stress reduction in itself
  • (even though the beneficiary of those actions is in an important sense impermanent)
• can be expanded to extend to other Selves.
• In this way, while our focus is on understanding and formulating Self in a way that is applicable to a broad range of scientific contexts,
  • we also see ourselves as here contributing to the treatment of perennial issues in contemporary Buddhist philosophy
    • such as the feasibility of genuine care in a world without real individuals

comment

• the last statement has always been a paradox for me
• Buddhist teachers often warn of how mistaken, immature views of emptiness can lead to harmful action
  • Indeed, if no selves exist, then over can easily mistaken nilhism as the logical behavioural conclusion
  • yet, teaching texts make clear that there is something critical the student has missed it they come to that conclusion
• the transformation is missing its most important element of that false conclusion persists