Do you think we have a "self" lying underneath these perceptions and feelings?

Question

Philosopher Hume pointed out that we have no underlying ‘personal identity’ beneath or behind these perceptions and feelings which come and go.

Do you agree that when you look within yourself you do not observe a “self” in addition to the perceptions and feelings that you observe within yourself?

If you agree that you do not observe your “self” in this way, should you conclude (with Hume) that you do not have an underlying ‘personal identity’ but that you are simply the “stream” of perceptions and feelings that you observe within yourself?

Answer 1

I like with Hume's observations, and those of Owen Flanagan's, or William James' who understood us as a "stream" of thoughts, feelings... However, it brings some theoretical troubles, but it is closer to our everyday's experiences of ourselves. The identity is not something given to us with our birth, but rather something that we construct and create during our life. Otherwise, we would never be capable for progress, changes, differences, nor to understand other people and their different moods, thoughts, attitudes... It is a large theoretical question in today's philosophical debates. Try to look inside your self and when you think you see it, try to describe it. Can you do it in one word, or you need to tell a whole story about what you feel, think, see... in this very moment.

Answer 2

Self is not there. Your brain is fooling you into thinking that you're there just so the brain can live. The brain is a selfish lying git and only thinks of number one

Answer 3

What then is the basis for individuality if not a true independant self?

Answer 4

In one sense yes. In another sense no.

Answer 5

I think I am a whisk broom, therefore, I am.