Lexington Books Myths of the Self: Narrative Identity and Postmodern Metaphysics

According to Olav Bryant Smith, Kant's "critical philosophy," precisely his defense of necessary knowledge, inadvertantly opened the door to discussions of interpretive philosophy and ultimately postmodernity. This unique opening to a discussion of postmodern thought framesMyths of the Self: Narrative Identity and Postmodern Metaphysics. Author Olav Smith uses process philosophy, specifically the constructive postmodern metaphysics of Alfred North Whitehead, to move away from the skepticism of modernity. This maneuver, along with an invigorating discussion of not often paired philosophers: Kant, Heidegger, Whitehead, and Ricoeur, leads readers into a discussion of the self that is a synthesis of a narrative theory of identity and a constructive "postmodern" metaphysics. Smith's original approach to Kant'sCritique of Reason, his unique pairing of Heidegger and Whitehead as well as Whitehead and Ricoeur makes this book essential reading for philisophers working in the Continental and especially the Analytic American tradition. Review I believe that Myths of the Self is an important work that could make an important contribution to the current discussion in many respects. Perhaps most novel is Bryant's interpretation of Kant. It has the potential to move Kant studies out of their dogmatic slumbers.--David Griffin, Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Theology; Professor of Religion, Claremont Graduate University Smith's exciting retrieval of Whitehead and Ricouer out of the Kantian background gives new relevance to the mythic component of our "construction" of self. Not to be missed.--Bruce Wilshire, Senior Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers University Smith's theory of the nature and identity of the self is original, important, and beautifully grounded in the history of philosophy. His nuanced interpretation, critique, and development of relevant ideas in Kant, Heidegger, Whitehead, and Ricoeur lays the foundation for an impressive synthesis of metaphysical and phenomenological ontologies in terms of which self and nature are both understood as essentially involving creative processes of interpretation and expression.--Jorge L. Nobo, Professor of Philosophy, Washburn University About the Author Olav Bryant Smith is Lecturer at California State University, Chico.