A History of the self-containing structure of the mind

There exists an epistemological tradition in which the mind is conceptualized as something that contains itself. Pascal's reed is contained within the thinking subject.[2] Kierkegaard's self entails a relationship in which the self relates to itself.[3] The Freudian subject of psychoneurosis is a being narcissistically attached to itself.[4] This conception of the mind as a self-containing structure originates in a period of Western history during which the presence of God withdrew, as if God had vacated his seat and gone on holiday.…