2007-01-21 07:19:46 · 6 answers · asked by Way2Be 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
It takes effort. I had to get beyond what holds me back. I am still working on me, but I am more myself now than I ever have been in my life. Being shy as a kid I had to get over being afraid to be myself. The more people I found that appreciated my good qualities the easier it became. It is about liking yourself.
2007-01-21 08:00:42 · answer #1 · answered by True 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the physical matter in your body is replaced over time - all of it - so it can't be that. Your personality can change dramatically with a little bit of frontal lobe damage but you're still you - so can't be that. Memories - even if they are very short term - a continuing experience, would be my guess.
Dennet & Hofstadter have a great thought experiment which goes something like this: Imagine you are about to go to the colony on Mars via a teleporter (like in Star Trek). You've done it loads of times. Your body is destroyed at this end and instantly re-assembled at the other end. So you step in, the machine makes the funny noise and ..... you're still on Earth. What went wrong? The guy in the overalls phones Mars and tells you it's all OK - it did work and you are actually on Mars. It's just that there's a fault Earth-end which means that your body will take about 5 mins to break down now - all painless and instant but will happen in about 5 mins from now. Would the 'you' on Earth not like this idea very much? Why not? You're on Mars after all!
The answer to why you wouldn't like it is the answer to 'what makes us the same person through time'.
2007-01-21 15:32:26 · answer #2 · answered by Dr Psych 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Genetics, societal experiences, etc.
"You" is a broad abstraction, as there are many senses of the word. From a sociological perspective, there are both objective and subjective connotations of who you are. From a personal [subjective] perspective, "you" are who you envision when you reflect on your image, and not just from a physical standpoint. From an objective perspective, "you" are who you are perceived to be by others, based on societal factors (gender, status, social rank, etc.).
Philosophically, "you" are a concept. An idea that exists both in your own person and respective to others. Even if you didn't tangibly exist, a notion of you exists in the minds of those who encounter "you" (your essence, energy, whatever..) by some means, causing your subsequent existence. Then, of course, the fact that you think, as Descartes so eloquently put it, validates your existence.
Ultimately, however, "you" are who "you" are regardless of classification. I don't think there exists any definitive criteria for what makes us who we are, we just...are.
2007-01-21 17:12:39 · answer #3 · answered by evelynn waugh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Retaining myself from going insane would be one qualification.
2007-01-21 15:45:23 · answer #4 · answered by Banana Hero [sic] 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply being you is, being you. one is intrinsicley, naturally ones self even if you are trying to be someone else you still remain you only, pretending to be one other
2007-01-21 15:43:11 · answer #5 · answered by gary r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't care wat others think of me. im happy with who i am and i would never change for anyone
2007-01-21 16:23:35 · answer #6 · answered by ♥#1 Miley Cyrus Fan♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋