The Self Illusion

Acknowledgements

This was a difficult book to write for a number of reasons. It covers a vast array of different areas that have a long history dating back to the dawn of human self reflection. I expect that it will annoy many for failing to fully acknowledge all those that have gone before who have tackled this issue and for leaving out critical points or not considering all variations of the arguments. That would have been an impossible book to read, let alone write. I have tried to synthesize an account that brings this vast volume of work into an easily understandable format with one simple claim. I believe I have distilled what are the main issues that are relevant to cognitive neuroscience.

The most difficult aspect of writing the book was that it forced me to confront my own self illusion and the way I have lived my life. It made me uncomfortably aware of my own weaknesses, vanity, insecurity, lack of integrity, lack of cohesion and all the other negative things that few of us admit, but that a self illusion can conceal. It is a thesis that does not, and will not, sit easily with those who regard their self as real. However, I do believe that questioning the nature of our self on a regular basis is a necessary process to get the most out of life.

I am indebted to those who understand this and have helped me shape the book. I would particularly like to thank my agent Robert Kirby, not only for his professional input, but also for his support during my moments of doubt. Also I would like to thank my US agent Zoë Pagnamenta for taking on a difficult task. My UK editor Andreas Campomar ignited the idea and has been enthusiastically supportive. I hope it does not blow up in our faces. Joan Bossert (OUP US) gave me some great ideas to develop and Jim Gifford (Harper Collins Canada) pointed out the dangers of my boyish tendencies. I would like to thank the friends, colleagues and students who have read earlier drafts and provided invaluable feedback and support. These include (in alphabetical order) Sara Baker, Sue Blackmore, Paul Bloom, Katy Donnelly, Teobesta Tesfa Endrias, Iain Gilchrist, Nathalia Gjersoe, Shoji Itakura, Monica Jensen, Cristine Legare, Kate Longstaffe, George Newman and Arnoud Van Voorst.

I would like to acknowledge the support of the various funding agencies that have supported me and my research over the past three years that have enabled me to write this book. These include the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the Leverhulme trust, the Bial foundation and the Perrott-Warwick Fund.

This book is dedicated to Kim who has had to endure this particular chaotic bundle. Without her, I would have come apart years ago.