Selfless: The Social Creation of “You”

Social psychologist and Stanford professor Brian Lowery presents a provocative and powerful theory of identity, arguing that that there is no essential "self"--our selves are merely social creations of those with whom we interact--exploring what that means for who we can be and who we allow others to be. Social psychologist and Professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business Brian Lowery argues for the radical idea that the "self" as we know it, does not exist. The self--that "voice in your head"--is a social construct, created in our relationships and social interactions. We are unique because our individual pattern of relationships is unique. We change because our relationships change. Your self isn't just you, it's all around you. Lowery uses this perspective of selfhood to explore questions of inequity, race, gender, and political and power structures, transforming our perceptions of how the world is and how it should be; how powerful people manage their environment in sophisticated, often unconscious, ways and maintain the status quo. His theory offers insight into our competing drives for deep social connection and personal freedom, and explains why we find ourselves torn between the two. It also helps answer profound questions such as: "Why has my sense of self evolved over time?" "Why do I sometimes stop short of changes that I want to make in life?" "How can I better handle conflict in relationships?" "What's driving our political climate?" In Selfless, Lowery persuasively breaks down common assumptions and beliefs; his insights are humbling. Despite what many may think, we aren't islands unto ourselves; we are the creation of the many hands that touch us. We don't just exist in communities, we are created and shaped by them. Our highs and lows are not only our own but our communities' as well. By recognizing that we are products of relationship-- from fleeting transactions to deep connections--we shatter the myth of individualism and free ourselves to make our lives and the world accordingly.