Hume on personal identity

David Hume's philosophy on personal identity and Bundle theory.
Spoiler alert- he thinks it's an illusion.

[shelovewazz]

When Hume talks about "other philosophers" view on the self, what does he think their view is? Which philosophers is he responding to? Descartes?

[calebgreen]

Thank you! I had to read Hume for class and your synopsis was a wonderful introduction!

[pedernyeggen]

Very well explained, but what is wrong with the audio?

[hoveamay]

cheers, chris, this was super helpful

[lordtanooki]

One flaw with Hume's view of self is that he doesn't properly account for the will. If we are made up of perceptions and experiences, how can that bundle "want" something? There must be something behind said experiences ala Descartes.

[pbasswil]

I agree that identity is a mental construct. But imho, 'illusion' is the wrong word – it brings too many connotations with it. The device of Identity (both personal self-identity, and identity of any persons or objects identified) is a crucial part of how the human species _functions._ (And what a successful species it is!) So to call Identity an illusion does nothing – _except_ to dramatize the insight, and to take advantage of the irritation people feel when they're told they're deceived.