Ipseity

Ipseity refers to individual identity, selfhood, or personal identity. It is the fundamental sense of “self” and “I” that exists in all conscious experiences, or the core pre-reflective awareness of being. The term is sometimes used in psychology to describe a foundational aspect of self that can be disrupted in certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, while in philosophy, it can be used to refer to one’s essential or true nature.

Key aspects of ipseity

Core identity: It is the most basic, foundational level of selfhood, distinct from more complex, narrative identities or roles played in life.

Latin origin: The word comes from the Latin ipse, meaning “self” or “himself”.

Psychological context: In psychology, “ipseity disturbance” describes a condition where this sense of self is fractured. For example, in schizophrenia, a person may feel that their thoughts are not their own and are coming from an external source.

Philosophical context: In philosophy and spirituality, it can refer to the recognition of one’s true, essential nature or the “I am” that is present before self-definition.

Pre-reflective awareness: It is the implicit, tacit sense of being the subject of one’s own experience, the awareness that consciousness is inherently first-person, or “my” experience.