In this book, Bruce Hood explores what he terms ‘the self illusion’. This refers to his main argument that the idea of a fixed, stable, singular self within our heads is an illusion created by our brains, pieced together and with the gaps filled in.

He points to evidence from the fields of behavioural therapy, psychology, anthropology, neuroscience and cognition. For example – why do we steal a biscuit from the tin if we feel we’re not being watched, but not do so if we are? And how are we so able to act in a morally repugnant way when we’re part of a group?  Our memories are plastic and false, the stories we tell ourselves about our identity are to a certain extent fictional.

While this book is disturbing in its revelations, it’s also readable and enjoyable. It’s available here on Amazon.