The Protean Self

Download or read book The Protean Self written by Robert J. Lifton and published by Basic Books. This book was released on 1995-01-04 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ”Proteanism”—or the protean self—describes a psychological phenomenon integral to our times. We live in a world marked by breathtaking historical change and instantaneous global communication. Our lives seem utterly unpredictable: there are few absolutes. Rather than collapsing under these threats and pulls, Robert Jay Lifton tells us, the self turns out to be remarkably resilient. Like the Greek god Proteaus, who was able to change shape in response to crisis, we create new psychological combinations, immersing ourselves in fresh and surprising endeavors over our lifetimes.