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The article aims to develop the theory of the authentic self presented in Bruce Wilshire's book "Role Playing and Identity: The Limits of Theatre as Metaphor." The article try to show that in certain respects this theory is an improvement over the theory of the authentic self expounded by other existentialists. Wilshire's theory is developed in two ways. First, it is shown that the theory of Wilshire provides a basis for the view that the authentic self is what is called the being-for-others and the they-self. Secondly, it is suggested that on religious level the authentic self is being-for-the-divine Other (God). The study of Wilshire's theory may be understood in a broader context as combating a certain trend or attitude in some sectors of current American phenomenological-existential philosophy. A brief word about the historical transformations of this movement will provide the necessary background to a delineation of this trend or attitude. The phenomenology of human existence and the theory of the authentic self used to be at the forefront of German and French thought. Contributions to phenomenology and existentialism can now be found almost exclusively in the U.S. The decade of the 1980's has produced the first classics of American phenomenological-existential philosophy, and these compare favorably with many of the famous classics of German and French thought. The main aim is to treat one of the American classics, Wilshire's book, in the manner it deserves, namely, as a classic and in the manner usually reserved for writings of Europeans. The essentials of the theory, developing of certain ideas of Wilshire and to defend some of the positions against opposing views have been discussed.