isamus

Isamus is a term used primarily in speculative fiction and thought experiments to denote a self-referential system or identity construct. It does not correspond to a widely recognized concept in established academic disciplines, and there is no canonical definition accepted across fields.

In fictional settings, isamus can describe objects, agents, or practices that acknowledge their own existence or role within a network of relationships. Examples range from a sentient artifact that reframes its purpose in response to user actions, to a social ritual in which participants publicly declare their alignment with a community’s norms. In such uses, isamus is a vehicle for exploring questions about autonomy, responsibility, and the boundaries between creator and creation.

Etymology and form: Isamus is usually presented as a constructed or coined word. Spelling, pronunciation, and grammatical use vary by author, with no single authoritative origin. In analytic discussions that invoke isamus, it functions as a placeholder concept to study reflexivity and agency in systems—whether human, artificial, or social.

See also: self-reference, reflexivity, agency, autonomy, artificial intelligence ethics, philosophy of mind.