The basis for this article is the idea of applying the principle of historicism to the study of the digital ego, which has been previously referred to as not-I in three publications on this topic. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to trace the dynamics of the evolution of this concept and the aspects of reality that correspond to it. In other words, the author’s objective is to write the history of the evolution of not-I in its existence.
As a conceptual prototype of the principle of historicism, the idea described above (Anc. Greek ἰδέα, meaning kind, shape, prototype) calls for singling out its basic, main and essential features. At the same time, such a principle, basis or principal source (from the Latin principium, Greek αρχή, literally meaning primary) is a postulate or statement on whose basis academic theories, laws and legal documents are developed, and norms of conduct in society are chosen — bringing together the known combination of facts in the mind and in reality. The considerations presented in this paragraph clearly call for the conceptual sense of historicism in this context to be clarified. …
In the preamble to this text, some remarks are necessary regarding the balance between form and content, and its semantic underpinnings. The semantic underpinnings are more important, so I will start with a few words about this, then speak about the other two aspects.
The semantic aspect of this work is organized to reflect the nature of the subject being examined. Digitalization and the individual are quite complex on their own, while the realm of objects that ensures their existential conjunction is obviously ultracomplex. The challenges in studying this realm come, among others, from the fact that the truths discovered in this research are inconclusive — as truths should actually be. Thus, as this work proceeds, and its results are extrapolated and generalized, controversies naturally and inevitably arise regarding all aspects of cognition: in mythology, philosophy, science, aesthetics, ethics, religion, law, politics, economy, and more. Such controversies are dialectic in nature and are perfectly solvable using the synergy and dialog paradigm of innovative and progressive metamodernism. After all, to continue to ignore the acute problems of modern human existence linked to these controversies is growing ever more dangerous today. By completing the development and implementation of ego digitalization technique in social life, we may be able to provide an effective toolkit for solving all these problems — provided that we have the courage and decisiveness to face and confront them, including the most terrifying, dismal, dark and hidden elements that are also the most valuable and resourceful in terms of creative potential. …
The purpose of this article is to present the concept of Not-I, its semantic markers, methodological framework, and basic ideas and notions.
Not I is the title of a 1972 monologue by Samuel Beckett, one of the founders of the Theater of the Absurd.
Not-I is one way that we might refer to the digital equivalent of the ego — something that can be linked to personality, individuality and self-identity. Defined in this way, the etymology of this name contains two interrelated elements.
The first one represents the ethico-aesthetic aspect of the concept, which means that the concept points to a redeeming opportunity to beautifully experience the absurdity of being. Not-I can participate instead of me in that which I cannot reject. Thrown into the nauseating world of the Absurd described by Camus, Not-I can take care of “sisyphing” in this world to whatever extent necessary, instead of me or for me, as I prefer. This is a beautiful, practical solution to Bakhtin’s problem of the non-alibi of being. Moreover, Not-I is an existential instrument for fulfilling Sartre’s notion that we are condemned to be free and possibly to participate more fully in being that does not require my alibi. …
With this message we launch a series of academic articles to substantiate the phenomenon of digital doubles. We have decided to apply all available knowledge from the natural sciences, humanities, philosophy and epistemology to obtain the fullest possible description of this phenomenon. We understand that we are not just on the verge of a commercial application, but of a fundamental scientific breakthrough. …
