The fundamental issue of identity has been endlessly explored by philosophers, poets, priests, psychologists, and men and women generally. Whilst the question has stayed the same, the answers offered have changed over time. This book examines changing notions of selfhood from a historical perspective. The overarching perception of Rewriting the Self is that the received version of the 'ascent of Western man' needs to be rethought in the light of the critical cultural analyses of today. Rereadings are offered of classic texts like those of Descartes, but wider perspectives are also presented. These assess the discursive construction of the self in the light of political, technological and social changes.

List of plates, Notes on contributors, Preface, Acknowledgements, INTRODUCTION, Part I: Renaissance and early modern, Part II: Enlightenment, Part III: Romanticism, Part IV: Modern and postmodern, Index