Why am I me?

[KichigaiNeko]

Agreed... Maybe Dogga33 can start a new one?? Ithink there is a warning when posting to an old thread....??

[Dooga33]

It's only time if you've concluded "futility" in terms of trying to answer this question. Under the circumstances, that's quite understandable. Trying to answer is much like the Kobiyashi Maru Test... A no win situation, that is more about studying one's character during the test than finding a solution for the problem it poses. I'm still game if you are. Did you read what was at the link?

[The Grand Nudger]

There has to be a philosophical explanation for "self in the first person"? What's wrong with the explanation from anatomy and nuerology?

[Dooga33]

I received no such warning about continuing an old thread. The link in my initial message points to a quantum physics theory which invokes the multiverse. However, as I said before, it stops short of "first person". One is left to imagine how it applies. The evolution theory speaks of it being a defense mechanism of mutual benefit for cells attemptin to ensure the passing of genetic material. I think the answer is asymptotic from the parabolic curve of discovery we're on... We'll get closer and closer to a "true" answer, but ultimately it's likely unreachable. Still fun to talk about though.

[R-e-n-n-a-t]

'Acknowledged futility' isn't really accurate. I half-realized the extent of my ability to subconsciously bias my viewpoints.
For that reason, I now operate under the thought that any sense of self is generated by a complex defense mechanism.

[Rhizomorph13]

I tried to see my own backside from a first person view; I mostly just ended up spinning really fast in one place.

[Dooga33]

Well put. There you have it... self defense against one's self.

I tried to see my own backside from a first person view; I mostly just ended up spinning really fast in one place.

---

There is an old saying in music... The SECOND hardest thing to do is to start an orchestra... (this applies to the complex defense mechanism)... Want to know (or do you already know) what the hardest thing to do is?

[Rohobian]

The human brain really is an incredible piece of machinery. So incredible in fact, that it has self awareness, and to push it even further, we even question our own existence. That's a beautiful thing. In order to get to that, we had to develop, really, only one thing. Complex language. Putting words to thoughts gives us the ability to formulate ideas and thoughts that are much more complex than that of a dog or a cat for example. Sure your dog knows "sit" and "wanna go for a walk?", but, at least from what we can observe, they don't seem to be able to learn a large vocabulary and piece together thoughts out of them. In the name of philosophy though, of course, who are we to say they can't? That aside, the fact that it evolved to this point... man, it just gives me goosebumps thinking about it.

Fact is, you ARE your brain. That's the simplest way to put it. Our consciousness is made up of our senses, which is controlled by the brain. Our personalities can be drastically altered by small changes in our brain.

Has anyone ever heard of David Eagleman? This is kinda long, but he makes his most important points in the first 10 minutes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EREriwV71...re=related

[The Magic Pudding]

Why are you you?
There was an incident, a mistake.
We're all sorry, measures have been taken.
It shouldn't happen again.

[R-e-n-n-a-t]

Ooo... I had to respond to this.
ahem...
Firstly, old topic! I shall not be responding anymore, as this question has already been answered acceptably!
Secondly, in order for my being alive to be a mistake, there would have needed to have been a plan to begin with... so... logic fail.