The Idea Of Self By Derek Parfit - 1271 Words

The idea of self has for long been the topic of discourse amongst thinkers. The ambiguity of the self has resulted in variants in definitions and meanings, and brought about the question of its very existence. Rene Descartes, in his books First and Second Meditations believed that the existence of self is attributed to the supposition of the self, whereas Derek Parfit in Persons and Reasons was skeptical about the existence of self and believed that we do not have an ultimate identity. In this paper, I will argue that Derek Parfit’s views are justifiable as he has provided sufficient reason to his claims on continuity. Descartes non-reductionist arguments, though not incorrect, lack the soundness that Parfit poses with his reductionist†¦show more content†¦According to him, the body and its relations are mirages which are uncertain. The only certainty is that nothing is certain. All the more, the fact that he is still experiencing, thinking and doubting himself, whil st being constantly deceived by a supreme power notably affirms his existence. To understand the truth of his identity, he embarks to restrain his mind in the reins of truth, devoid of imagination, to fathom the existence of self. He poses the example of a chunk of wax, with its distinct identity the moment it is taken from a honeycomb. It has features that can be perceived by means of the senses, which broaden the understanding on what the wax is. But as it is placed by the fire, it loses its distinctness. Due to its alteration, the senses can no longer comprehend it. However, it is the same wax that remains which has undergone some alterations from what is was before. He concludes that the nature of the wax is perceived purely by non-contingent mental scrutiny. His perusal into the perception of the wax results in the investigation into the nature of his own mind becoming clearer. Descartes arrives at the conclusion that absolute intellect makes up reality, and understanding is fundamentally the derivative of perception. His rational thinking provides the proof of his existence that the mind is a self unto itself. This â€Å"thinking† is not just limited to thought, but also streams of consciousness, experience and emotions.