THE SELF AS TRUTH: CARTESIAN SUBJECTIVITY IN A.A. NAVIS’S “ANAK KEBANGGAAN”

Yusuf Arimatea Neno

doi:10.24257/atavisme.v28i2.1124.105-120

THE SELF AS TRUTH: CARTESIAN SUBJECTIVITY IN A.A. NAVIS’S “ANAK KEBANGGAAN”

Yusuf Arimatea Neno^(1*)

(1) Magister Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study examines Cartesian subjectivity through the character Ompi in A.A. Navis’s short story “Anak Kebanggaan” from Robohnya Surau Kami (1994). Drawing on René Descartes’ philosophical concept of cogito ergo sum (“I think, therefore I am”), the research explores how Ompi’s ego-centered cognition shapes his understanding of truth, identity, and social reality. Ompi positions his own thoughts and judgments as the primary source of validity, rejecting perspectives that challenge his self-constructed worldview. This study employs a qualitative interpretive method combined with library research to analyze textual evidence and relevant philosophical sources. Unlike previous studies that focus on religious, psychological, or cultural aspects of Navis’s works, this research emphasizes the role of Cartesian cognition in the formation of ego, pride, and self-centered identity. The findings suggest that when subjective reasoning is treated as absolute truth, it can lead to arrogance, emotional detachment, and an inability to engage with reality or others.

Abstrak:Penelitian ini mengkaji subjektivitas Kartesian melalui tokoh Ompi dalam cerpen “Anak Kebanggaan” karya A.A. Navis yang termuat dalam kumpulan Robohnya Surau Kami (1994). Berlandaskan konsep filosofis René Descartes, khususnya cogito ergo sum (“aku berpikir, maka aku ada”), penelitian ini menelaah bagaimana kognisi ego-sentris Ompi membentuk pemahamannya tentang kebenaran, identitas, dan realitas sosial. Ompi memosisikan pikiran dan penilaiannya sendiri sebagai sumber kebenaran utama, serta menolak perspektif lain yang bertentangan dengan pandangan dunia yang ia bangun sendiri. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif interpretatif yang dipadukan dengan studi kepustakaan untuk menganalisis teks sastra serta sumber-sumber filosofis yang relevan. Berbeda dengan penelitian sebelumnya yang lebih menekankan aspek religius, psikologis, atau kultural dalam karya-karya A.A. Navis, penelitian ini menyoroti peran kognisi Kartesian dalam pembentukan ego, kesombongan, dan identitas yang berpusat pada diri. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ketika penalaran subjektif diperlakukan sebagai kebenaran absolut, hal tersebut dapat melahirkan sikap arogan, keterasingan emosional, serta ketidakmampuan individu untuk berelasi secara sehat dengan realitas maupun dengan orang lain.

Keywords

Cartesian; Rene Descartes; Navis; Cognition; Ompi

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24257/atavisme.v28i2.1124.105-120