Chapter 11: Who Am I?

Introduction What is the nature of human beings and what constitutes their being? What is the nature of human beings and what constitutes their being? Human being refers to the biological species Human being refers to the biological species Person does not refer to a biological concept Person does not refer to a biological concept What constitutes a person? What constitutes a person?

There Is No Self anatta – States that there is no Atman, or no- self doctrine. This is the Buddhist response to the Hindu philosophy that you are the Atman. anatta – States that there is no Atman, or no- self doctrine. This is the Buddhist response to the Hindu philosophy that you are the Atman. Anicca – impermanence. Comes from the denial of the existence of independently existing things and therefore of substances and eternally permanent essences. Anicca – impermanence. Comes from the denial of the existence of independently existing things and therefore of substances and eternally permanent essences. Five aggregates – the physical form, sensation, conceptualization, dispositions to act, and consciousness that make up humans, according to Buddhist philosophy Five aggregates – the physical form, sensation, conceptualization, dispositions to act, and consciousness that make up humans, according to Buddhist philosophy

False Doctrines About the Soul The Buddha If sensation is the soul, then the soul is impermanent and not eternal. If it is not the soul, then the soul does not exist. If sensation is the soul, then the soul is impermanent and not eternal. If it is not the soul, then the soul does not exist. It is not possible for the soul to be sensation, not be sensation, or possess the faculty for sensation and still be eternal It is not possible for the soul to be sensation, not be sensation, or possess the faculty for sensation and still be eternal By rejecting all of these ideas, one reaches Nirvana By rejecting all of these ideas, one reaches Nirvana

The Simile of the Chariot Argues that I is a practical designation that does not refer to something substantial, just as the chariot does not exist above and beyond its parts, meaning it is insubstantial, yet it is still called a chariot Argues that I is a practical designation that does not refer to something substantial, just as the chariot does not exist above and beyond its parts, meaning it is insubstantial, yet it is still called a chariot

Down with the Ego The human brain is composed of two hemispheres that control opposite sides of the body and different mental processes The human brain is composed of two hemispheres that control opposite sides of the body and different mental processes When the corpus callosum is severed, communication between the two hemispheres is cut off When the corpus callosum is severed, communication between the two hemispheres is cut off Does this imply that there are two different levels of consciousness, two minds, or even two persons within one body? Does this imply that there are two different levels of consciousness, two minds, or even two persons within one body?

Divided Minds and the Nature of Persons Derek Parfit Reflects on the implications of split-brain research for notions of what a person is Reflects on the implications of split-brain research for notions of what a person is Argues that split-brain experiments are inconsistent with an “ego theory” of self but are consistent with a “bundle theory” Argues that split-brain experiments are inconsistent with an “ego theory” of self but are consistent with a “bundle theory” –Ego Theory – a person’s continued existence is explained as the continued existence of the Ego, or subject of experiences –Bundle Theory – unity of consciousness, or the unity of the person, can not be explained at any time by referring to a person. Long series of different mental states and events are called a life, and each series is bundled together through causal relations –A split-brain does not mean that there are two persons in one body, but that there are two streams of consciousness, which supports the bundle theory

Where Am I? How do we know that a person existing at one time is the same person existing at another time? How do we know that a person existing at one time is the same person existing at another time? Can we say that someone is the same person now as they were them because they are in the same body? Can we say that someone is the same person now as they were them because they are in the same body? Difficulties with the “body identity theory” Difficulties with the “body identity theory” –Looks can be deceiving –Bodies change with time –Ignores the psychological life of the person Need to find continuity of body, mind, and psychology Need to find continuity of body, mind, and psychology

Brainstorms Daniel Dennett If the brain was removed from the body, where would the “self” be located? If the brain was removed from the body, where would the “self” be located? What if the brain was cloned and put in another body, and there were two bodies? What if the brain was cloned and put in another body, and there were two bodies? Possible explanations Possible explanations –Where the body goes, there goes the person –Where the brain goes, there goes the person –The person is wherever he thinks he is. The location of a person’s point of view is the location of the person

Social Identity Our personal identities are shaped in a cultural and linguistic environment Our personal identities are shaped in a cultural and linguistic environment Language, as the vehicle of communication, is essential or establishing relationships, which in turn influence personal identity Language, as the vehicle of communication, is essential or establishing relationships, which in turn influence personal identity

How to Tame a Wild Tongue Gloria Anzaldúa Based on the personal experience of the author as a Chicana influenced by Mexican, Indian, and Anglo culture Based on the personal experience of the author as a Chicana influenced by Mexican, Indian, and Anglo culture “Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity- I am my language.” “Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity- I am my language.”

Gender Identity Theories of gender: Theories of gender: –Gender is determined by nature –Gender is a social construction Queer theory, an area of academic study, explores the ways in which identities are constructed and valorized by societies and ideologies Queer theory, an area of academic study, explores the ways in which identities are constructed and valorized by societies and ideologies

Crossing Deirdre (Donald) N. McCloskey Deirdre McCloskey was formerly Donald McCloskey and discusses her experience in crossing genders Deirdre McCloskey was formerly Donald McCloskey and discusses her experience in crossing genders Asserts that her gender crossing was motivated by identity Asserts that her gender crossing was motivated by identity Is gender identity natural or socially constructed? Is gender identity natural or socially constructed?