Chapter 11: Who Am I?Chapter 11: Who Am I?

IntroductionIntroduction

• What is the nature of human beings What is the nature of human beings and what constitutes their being?and what constitutes their being?

• Human beingHuman being refers to the biological refers to the biological speciesspecies

• PersonPerson does not refer to a biological does not refer to a biological conceptconcept

• What constitutes a person?What constitutes a person?

There Is No SelfThere Is No Self

• anatta anatta – States that there is no Atman, or – States that there is no Atman, or no-self doctrine. This is the Buddhist no-self doctrine. This is the Buddhist response to the Hindu philosophy that you response to the Hindu philosophy that you are the Atman. are the Atman.

• Anicca Anicca – impermanence. Comes from the – impermanence. Comes from the denial of the existence of independently denial of the existence of independently existing things and therefore of substances existing things and therefore of substances and eternally permanent essences.and eternally permanent essences.

• Five aggregates Five aggregates – the physical form, – the physical form, sensation, conceptualization, dispositions to sensation, conceptualization, dispositions to act, and consciousness that make up act, and consciousness that make up humans, according to Buddhist philosophy humans, according to Buddhist philosophy

False Doctrines About the False Doctrines About the SoulSoulThe BuddhaThe Buddha• If sensation is the soul, then the soul is If sensation is the soul, then the soul is

impermanent and not eternal. If it is not impermanent and not eternal. If it is not the soul, then the soul does not exist.the soul, then the soul does not exist.

• It is not possible for the soul to be It is not possible for the soul to be sensation, not be sensation, or possess the sensation, not be sensation, or possess the faculty for sensation and still be eternalfaculty for sensation and still be eternal

• By rejecting all of these ideas, one reaches By rejecting all of these ideas, one reaches NirvanaNirvana

The Simile of the ChariotThe Simile of the Chariot

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

Down with the EgoDown with the Ego

• The human brain is composed of two The human brain is composed of two hemispheres that control opposite sides of hemispheres that control opposite sides of the body and different mental processesthe body and different mental processes

• When the corpus callosum is severed, When the corpus callosum is severed, communication between the two communication between the two hemispheres is cut off hemispheres is cut off

• Does this imply that there are two different Does this imply that there are two different levels of consciousness, two minds, or levels of consciousness, two minds, or even two persons within one body?even two persons within one body?

Divided Minds and the Nature Divided Minds and the Nature of Personsof PersonsDerek ParfitDerek Parfit• Reflects on the implications of split-brain research Reflects on the implications of split-brain research

for notions of what a person isfor notions of what a person is• Argues that split-brain experiments are Argues that split-brain experiments are

inconsistent with an “ego theory” of self but are inconsistent with an “ego theory” of self but are consistent with a “bundle theory”consistent with a “bundle theory”– Ego Theory Ego Theory – a person’s continued existence is – a person’s continued existence is

explained as the continued existence of the explained as the continued existence of the EgoEgo, or , or subject of experiencessubject of experiences

– Bundle Theory Bundle Theory – unity of consciousness, or the unity of – unity of consciousness, or the unity of the person, can not be explained at any time by the person, can not be explained at any time by referring to a person. Long series of different mental referring to a person. Long series of different mental states and events are called a life, and each series is states and events are called a life, and each series is bundled together through causal relationsbundled together through causal relations

– A split-brain does not mean that there are two persons A split-brain does not mean that there are two persons in one body, but that there are two streams of in one body, but that there are two streams of consciousness, which supports the bundle theoryconsciousness, which supports the bundle theory

Where Am I?Where Am I?

• How do we know that a person existing at How do we know that a person existing at one time is the same person existing at one time is the same person existing at another time? another time?

• Can we say that someone is the same Can we say that someone is the same person now as they were them because person now as they were them because they are in the same body?they are in the same body?

• Difficulties with the “body identity theory”Difficulties with the “body identity theory”– Looks can be deceivingLooks can be deceiving– Bodies change with timeBodies change with time– Ignores the psychological life of the personIgnores the psychological life of the person

• Need to find continuity of body, mind, and Need to find continuity of body, mind, and psychologypsychology

BrainstormsBrainstormsDaniel DennettDaniel Dennett

• If the brain was removed from the body, If the brain was removed from the body, where would the “self” be located? where would the “self” be located?

• What if the brain was cloned and put in What if the brain was cloned and put in another body, and there were two bodies?another body, and there were two bodies?

• Possible explanationsPossible explanations– Where the body goes, there goes the personWhere the body goes, there goes the person– Where the brain goes, there goes the personWhere the brain goes, there goes the person– The person is wherever he thinks he is. The The person is wherever he thinks he is. The

location of a person’s point of view is the location of a person’s point of view is the location of the person location of the person

Social IdentitySocial Identity

• Our personal identities are shaped in Our personal identities are shaped in a cultural and linguistic environmenta cultural and linguistic environment

• Language, as the vehicle of Language, as the vehicle of communication, is essential or communication, is essential or establishing relationships, which in establishing relationships, which in turn influence personal identityturn influence personal identity

How to Tame a Wild TongueHow to Tame a Wild TongueGloria AnzaldGloria Anzaldúaúa

• Based on the personal experience of Based on the personal experience of the author as a Chicana influenced the author as a Chicana influenced by Mexican, Indian, and Anglo cultureby Mexican, Indian, and Anglo culture

• ““Ethnic identity is twin skin to Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity- I am my linguistic identity- I am my language.”language.”

Gender IdentityGender Identity

• Theories of gender:Theories of gender:– Gender is determined by natureGender is determined by nature– Gender is a social constructionGender is a social construction

• Queer theory, an area of academic Queer theory, an area of academic study, explores the ways in which study, explores the ways in which identities are constructed and identities are constructed and valorized by societies and ideologiesvalorized by societies and ideologies

CrossingCrossingDeirdre (Donald) N. McCloskeyDeirdre (Donald) N. McCloskey

• Deirdre McCloskey was formerly Deirdre McCloskey was formerly Donald McCloskey and discusses her Donald McCloskey and discusses her experience in crossing gendersexperience in crossing genders

• Asserts that her gender crossing was Asserts that her gender crossing was motivated by identitymotivated by identity

• Is gender identity natural or socially Is gender identity natural or socially constructed?constructed?