The Examined Self: Consciousness, Narrative Identity, and the Psychology of Meaning-Making

Abstract

This article investigates the philosophical and psychological dimensions of the self as a narrative construction, examining how human beings constitute personal identity through the stories they tell about their lives. Drawing on Continental philosophy—particularly the hermeneutical phenomenology of Paul Ricoeur—and integrating findings from narrative psychology, cognitive science, and the psychology of meaning-making, the paper argues that the self is neither a fixed metaphysical substance nor a mere bundle of experiences, but rather an ongoing interpretive achievement. The concept of narrative identity—idem identity (sameness) versus ipse identity (selfhood)—is explored in depth, and its implications for psychological resilience, clinical practice, and existential well-being are assessed. Additionally, the paper synthesises evidence from empirical studies concerning autobiographical memory, temporal self-continuity, and the role of narrative coherence in mental health outcomes. A comparative table of major theoretical frameworks is provided to orient readers. The article concludes by arguing that Socrates' injunction to 'know thyself' must today be read not as an invitation to discover a pre-given essence, but as a call to the ongoing, creative, and ethically engaged activity of self-narration.