Resumen

CAJIAS CALVET, David. The subpersonal struggle between enlightenment and disillusionment. EPISTEME [online]. 2015, vol.35, n.1, pp.31-46. ISSN 0798-4324.

An account of self-deception is proposed in the lines of an evolutionary explanation of belief and deception. The distinction between offensive and defensive deception is adopted in the context of the co-evolutionary struggle, referenced by Robert Trivers, John Krebs and Richard Dawkins. We argue that the latter is a sub-product of evolution while some instances of the former are genuine adaptations with specifiable benefits. The instances we endorse as authentic cases of self-deception are the ones which Ryan McKay and Daniel Dennett classify as positive illusions. The upshot will be an explanation of self-deception in terms of ‘self-concealment’ conceived within the context of the subpersonal struggle between enlightenment and disillusion.

Palabras clave : self-concealment; enlightenment; disillusion.

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