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The Myth of the "Authentic Self"

by Federico Malatesta
May 18, 2025

 

The "Authentic Self" is a self-help mantra, a social media buzzword and a book title, but it's also a deeply flawed idea. It is indeed a framework as popular as it is misguided.

It overlooks the complexity of human identity formation, the interplay between individual agency and social structures, and the psychological intricacies of how we come to perceive ourselves.

This article will delve into this “Authentic Self” model, offering a critical examination and a brief overview of contemporary philosophical, psychological, and neuroscience perspectives. By doing so, it aims to highlight the complexity of the concept of “Self” and the nuanced discussions required for a comprehensive understanding.

As the article is rather lenghtly, I will summarize its content both here and on my LinkedIn Newsletter over the next two weeks. 

Access and download below the full essay.

The Myth of the "Authentic Self" 

Hope you enjoy the read.
Federico

 

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