DO I HAVE A FIXED SELF?
Posted by Philip on Friday, November 21st, 2008DO I HAVE A FIXED SELF? I posted here on Colin McGinn’s proposition that Shakespeare argues that “our personality (or many personalities) is analogous to the character an actor plays on the stage.” The conclusion is that “We construct our personalities using an actor’s skills.” I can accept the view that I am always playing a part as an actor does. Indeed, I have recently come to realize that much of what I say in conversation is said for effect. But Colin McGinn also raised an additional issue. He cited Hume and Montaigne in support of the proposition that a person does not have a fixed self. Hume and Montaigne base their position on their own experience of themselves. I don’t have the same experience. I think of myself as being the same person that I was fifty years ago.


