The End of Self-Esteem. Self-Knowledge and Self-Evaluation in the Light of Unconditional Self-Acceptance
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| Title: | The End of Self-Esteem. Self-Knowledge and Self-Evaluation in the Light of Unconditional Self-Acceptance |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Malgorzata Walejko (ORCID |
| Source: | Studies in Philosophy and Education. 2025 44(5):557-576. |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 20 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Evaluative |
| Descriptors: | Self Esteem, Self Concept Measures, Self Evaluation (Individuals), Parent Influence, Achievement, Peer Acceptance, Adolescents, Adults, Role, Maturity (Individuals), Parent Child Relationship, Social Influences |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11217-025-10000-z |
| ISSN: | 0039-3746 1573-191X |
| Abstract: | In this article, by deriving detailed consequences from the Kantian principle of treating people as ends in themselves, I propose how it works through the psychological constructs of self-acceptance and self-concept development. Unconditional self-acceptance, based on non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and feelings, is important in education and therapy; inspired mainly by Albert Ellis, I ask whether and how it is possible to combine unconditional self-acceptance with self-knowledge and self-assessment within an ethical framework. After presenting the determinants of self-relating, I analyse the popular concept of self-esteem: whether it promotes a person's development and is logically and philosophically defensible. There is a risk of confusing egoic protection of one's self-esteem with personal development, and there are other dangers with self-esteem that I present in the light of mindset theory. I instead describe the forms of self-evaluation consistent with the attitude of self-acceptance: honest knowledge of one's own acts and its instrumental and non-instrumental value, while resigning from an overall evaluation of the self. As an alternative source of self-worth, I present approaches basing it merely on the personal existence. Finally, by formulating practical implications for education and for research, I suggest unconditional self-acceptance can be the basis of a new educational ethics, moving away from misleading and perfectionistic self-concepts. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1487326 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | In this article, by deriving detailed consequences from the Kantian principle of treating people as ends in themselves, I propose how it works through the psychological constructs of self-acceptance and self-concept development. Unconditional self-acceptance, based on non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and feelings, is important in education and therapy; inspired mainly by Albert Ellis, I ask whether and how it is possible to combine unconditional self-acceptance with self-knowledge and self-assessment within an ethical framework. After presenting the determinants of self-relating, I analyse the popular concept of self-esteem: whether it promotes a person's development and is logically and philosophically defensible. There is a risk of confusing egoic protection of one's self-esteem with personal development, and there are other dangers with self-esteem that I present in the light of mindset theory. I instead describe the forms of self-evaluation consistent with the attitude of self-acceptance: honest knowledge of one's own acts and its instrumental and non-instrumental value, while resigning from an overall evaluation of the self. As an alternative source of self-worth, I present approaches basing it merely on the personal existence. Finally, by formulating practical implications for education and for research, I suggest unconditional self-acceptance can be the basis of a new educational ethics, moving away from misleading and perfectionistic self-concepts. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0039-3746 1573-191X |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11217-025-10000-z |
