The Online Self

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This book explores the emerging phenomenon of the self in the online realm, advocating for an externalist view of identity that does not rely on the continuity of consciousness. It delves into related concepts such as online friendships and gaming through this lens. Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace enable users to present their identities online, creating connections with others who also have their own digital selves. This raises profound philosophical questions: What is the metaphysical nature of the online self? How does it compare to the traditional "offline" self? As more individuals engage with the online world, it begins to acquire its own reality, a notion recognized by various scholars. However, a systematic philosophical examination of this online self—now crucial in cyberspace—has been lacking, which this volume aims to address. In addition to the constitution of the online self, it investigates related issues of personal identity in digital spaces and analyzes the similarities between computer games and social networking platforms. Unlike much existing literature that approaches the topic from a social scientific angle, this work provides a philosophical and theoretical framework for understanding the complexities of the online experience.