Reflection is structurally possible because the for-itself splits into reflecting and reflected
Evidence
This phenomenon of reflection is a permanent possibility of the for-itself because reflective scissiparity exists potentially in the for-itself which is reflected-on; it suffices in fact that the reflecting for-itself (reflétant) posit itself for it as a witness of the reflection (reflet) and that the for-itself (the reflection) posit itself for it as a reflection of this reflecting. — Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness, 513
Categorization
- DEFINE: Introduces Sartre’s technical pair reflétant/reflet — reflecting for-itself and reflection — and grounds reflection in ‘reflective scissiparity.’
- XREF: connects to: Reflection is the for-itself grounding itself as a for-itself; In reflection, the reflective and reflected-on are neither identical nor fully separate; Reflection is a second attempt by the for-itself to found itself (+6 more)
Broader Connections
- Reflection is consciousness attempting to become its own object
#expands(0.85) - Reflection deepens the reflective-reflected split beyond self-consciousness
#expands(0.84) — Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness, 802 - Reflection aims impossibly to unify the for-itself with itself into a totality
#qualifies(0.82) - Reflection is defined as the failed effort of the for-itself to found itself
#corroborates(0.80) — Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness, 513 - Reflection is an intermediate stage of nihilation between self-existence and existence-for-others
#expands(0.78) — Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness, 513