Sam Harris' conceptualization of "The Self"

Dumb and wrong.

Hym "Sam Harris' conceptualization of "The Self" is wrong. He thinks it's the articulated thoughts that constitutes 'The Self' and goes as far as to say it's 'An illusion.' The only problem with that is that the articulated thoughts AREN'T the SELF. This is evidenced by the phrase 'TO ARTICULATE YOURSELF.' What does it mean to 'ARTICULATE yourSELF,' Sam? It's implicit IN THE ACT OF ARTICULATION... That 'THE SELF' has yet to be articulated. The self is EXPRESSED through dialogue! And movement sometimes... And mouth noises... But just because the articulation occurs internally... It doesn't mean that THAT is the SELF part you idiot! He's a neurologist! He's like a PhD neurologist and people are listening to the shit like 'Oh yeah geez it's so smart!' EXCEPT IT'S WRONG! WRONG AND DUMB! And then he writes a fucking book based on a galse premise and goes on podcasts to sell idiots a stack of paper-thin sliced DOGSHIT and he doesn't even know how the self works!"

by Hym Iam April 6, 2024

Scientific Conceptualism

The position that scientific concepts are not simply discovered in nature but are human creations that shape what we can think and observe. "Gene," "species," "force," "mental illness"—these aren't natural kinds waiting to be found; they're tools we've developed to organize experience. They're real in their effects, but their reality depends on our conceptual activity. Scientific Conceptualism studies how concepts are born, how they change, and how they die. It's the science of how science thinks its own thoughts.

"Before 'trauma' was a concept, people had the experiences but couldn't name them. Scientific Conceptualism says: the concept didn't just describe something pre-existing—it created a new way to be a person. Concepts aren't just labels; they're world-makers."

by Abzugal February 23, 2026

Epistemological Conceptualism

The position that knowledge is structured by concepts that are human creations, not discoveries about the world. "Cause," "truth," "evidence," "knowledge" itself—these aren't natural kinds waiting to be found; they're tools we've developed to organize experience. They're real in their effects, but their reality depends on our conceptual activity. Epistemological Conceptualism studies how epistemic concepts are born, how they change, how they die, and how they shape what we can claim to know. It's knowing about knowing, aware that its own tools are made, not found.

"You keep appealing to 'common sense' as if it's universal. Epistemological Conceptualism says: 'common sense' is a concept with a history, shaped by your culture, class, and century. It's not a foundation—it's a construction. Use it if helpful, but don't pretend it's nature speaking."

by Abzugal February 23, 2026