Personal/Sub-personal

Brief Description

The Personal/Sub-personal is a thinking tool that encourages the distinction between the whole person and the individual parts of the brain or body responsible for various functions. This tool highlights the error in attributing human qualities, such as understanding or emotions, to non-human entities like organs or biological processes.

Detailed Description

Daniel Dennett introduces the Personal/Sub-personal concept to emphasize that while our brains process signals and our bodies undergo physical changes (e.g., releasing dopamine or activating V4 cortex), it is incorrect to attribute these actions to a person as if they possess emotions, thoughts, or understanding themselves.

For instance, when we say "My brain understands English," we commit the Mereological Fallacy, which is a philosophical error involving the improper composition of wholes and parts. In reality, it is the individual who understands English, while their brain processes language-related signals. By understanding this distinction, we can avoid attributing human qualities to non-human entities, leading to clearer thought and improved communication.

Exercise / How to Apply

To practice using the Personal/Sub-personal thinking tool:

1. Identify a list of actions or states that could be attributed to either a whole person or an individual part of the body or brain (e.g., feeling betrayed, releasing serotonin, hearing music, experiencing anger).
2. Sort these actions or states into two categories—Personal Level and Sub-personal Level. Place items in the Personal Level category if they represent feelings, thoughts, or experiences that can only be associated with the whole person. Items in the Sub-personal Level category are physical processes or biological functions carried out by specific parts of the body or brain.
3. Review your categorization and consider whether each item is correctly attributed to either the whole person or a sub-personal part. If there are any items that seem ambiguous or difficult to classify, reflect on why this might be and try to develop a clearer understanding of the distinction between the two categories.
4. As you go about your daily life, practice applying this thinking tool when encountering situations where the distinction between personal and sub-personal may become blurred (e.g., during conversations, reading texts, or observing others). This will help strengthen your ability to make clear and accurate distinctions between the two.

Suggestion for Creating an App

An app that gamifies the Personal/Sub-personal thinking tool could offer an engaging and interactive way to practice this concept. Some features could include:

1. A library of exercise scenarios where users must sort statements into Personal or Sub-personal categories (based on the provided examples).
2. Progress tracking and leaderboards to encourage friendly competition among users.
3. Daily challenges, quizzes, or puzzles that test users' understanding of the distinction between personal and sub-personal levels.
4. A community forum where users can discuss complex scenarios, share insights, and collaborate on refining their thinking skills.
5. Integration with popular digital media platforms (e.g., books, articles, videos, music) to facilitate applying the Personal/Sub-personal concept in real-life contexts.
6. A "Difficulty" setting that adjusts the complexity of scenarios based on the user's skill level, allowing for personalized learning experiences.
7. Gamification elements such as badges, rewards, and achievements to motivate users and keep them engaged in practicing this thinking tool.