Self-deception, Self-affirmation and Self-sacrifice: The Case of Raskolnikov

Abstract

The problem of self-deception is a perennial one. In what circumstances do we deceive ourselves or let some others deceive us? What consequences may it have? Is it something that we should avoid, or can it have positive consequences for the person? In this paper, I consider the ethical dimension of the problem. In the first part I will give an overview of the two prominent positions in the self-deception literature, the intentional and non-intentional approaches. Then, in the second part, I will turn to literature and discuss the story of Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment. I will treat the case of Raskolnikov as an illustration of themes in the philosophical literature but also as a resource that might aid it.