Sjálfs

Sjálfs is a term used here to denote the philosophical and linguistic notion of the self as a locus of agency and personal continuity. It is treated as a neutral, cross-disciplinary concept applicable to philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and linguistics, rather than as a reference to a specific movement, person, or historical school.

Etymology and linguistic usage

In Icelandic, the root form sjálf means “self.” The form sjálfs is an inflected variant used in possessive or attributive compounds and is commonly encountered in discussions of self-related terms. In the context of this article, sjálfs functions as the element that marks relation to the self, appearing in compound formations that express ownership, affiliation, or self-directed qualities.

Concept and scope

Sjálfs encompasses aspects such as intentionality, autonomy, and the continuity of identity over time. It is used to explore how agents initiate actions from internal motives rather than external coercion, and how individuals maintain a coherent sense of self through changing experiences. The concept intersects debates on moral responsibility, free will, and personal narrative, including how memories and self-interpretation contribute to a stable self-concept.

Cultural and scholarly context

In contemporary discussions within Icelandic linguistics and philosophy, sjálfs appears in analyses of self-representation, self-definition, and the language of agency. It serves as a focal point for examining how language encodes and shapes our understanding of the self, as well as how the self is conceived in theoretical models of mind and behavior.

See also

Self, Autonomy, Identity, Consciousness, Personal narrative.