Is there a such thing as "I"; a concious thinking substance? And if so, what is it?

Answer 1

Are you thinking now? Better yet, be quiet and listen. You will notice that part of you that is "I", it's the part of you that is not your body, but you probably notice it somewhere in your stomach region. Some would call it spirit.

Answer 2

You're asking the question that philosophers have pondered over for ages. There are many different answers, such as Descartes, "I think therefore I am" and others like him. This question is varies from person to person, therefore it is impossible to ask others and be satisfied with an answer.

However, I do believe in the "concious thinking substance." I think that all animals are given this ability, granted with varying degrees. Lower animals may only think about what their next meal may be, but they still do think. They formulate a plan as how to come by that meal. Now we, as humans, contemplate more complicated issues, such as the question of life, but on some level, we are all the same.

Answer 3

Well... One man said "I think I am, therefore I am"... That's about all the proof one needs I suppose. I personally don't buy it, because every human I've ever met has an innate need to do one of 4 things at any given time. ****, Eat, Sleep, or Amuse one's self. So, I ask you, what's the difference between a human's fundamental desires, and a dog's? Why would the dog not think of itself in the terms of "I"... or whatever basic understanding that is. Animals are motivated by one thing at a time; to acquire a gain, or prevent a loss. Humans are no different. Maybe... just maybe... one day we'll step off our opposable thumb pedestal, and realize that human's are the worst thing that ever happened to earth.

Answer 4

Since reality, for all we know, exists only in "our" reality, you can't really be sure that "you" exist, seeing as there might be another reality that we are just a part of, but arent aware of.

Answer 5

"It" from Madeline L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time."