The Collective Self

The Collective Self is the first volume of the Orthodox Christianity And Contemporary Thought series. This work of philosophy and religious studies examines Byzantine and Middle-Eastern sources to challenge Western-centric narratives regarding the modern self. By analyzing the Odes of Solomon, Plotinus, and the writings of Athanasius and Ephrem the Syrian, Zachary Ugolnik explores how mirror imagery and optical theories reveal a conception of selfhood that is fundamentally collective rather than individual.

This history and religious study focuses on the convergence of the divine and the human through communal practices like prayer and liturgy. The Collective Self, Volume 1, argues that reflexivity and interdependence are not merely modern innovations. By integrating Sufi sources and medieval Syriac texts, the author provides an alternative history of identity and empathy. This scholarly text contributes to contemporary discussions on embodiment and communion within the broader field of world history.