Deck 47: David Hume: We Have No Substantial Self With Which We Are Identical

Question 1

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-According to Hume, ideas must come from impressions, but there is no impression from which the idea of self comes; therefore,

A) we know from reasoning that the self exists.
B) the soul exists.
C) the self is hidden to us.
D) there is no self.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-According to Hume, when he enters into what he calls his self, he stumbles onto various perceptions, but he

A) can never understand the meaning of these perceptions.
B) cannot have more than one perception at a time.
C) can never observe his self, only perceptions.
D) cannot accept the reality of the perceptions.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-According to Hume, the mind is

A) a monarch presiding over perceptions.
B) a unity.
C) a kind of spirit.
D) a kind of theater.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-Hume says that the controversy concerning identity is merely a dispute of words.

Question 5

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-Hume maintains that we attribute identity over time to things even though they have undergone total change.

Question 6

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-Hume believes that the self is immaterial.

Question 7

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-Hume thinks that the notion of perceptions is a fiction.

Question 8

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-Hume points out that even though an animal may over time undergo a total change in every part, we still attribute identity to it.

Question 9

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-Hume reduces mind to a stream of consciousness.

Question 10

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-Hume admits that beyond the stream of consciousness there is a transcendent self.

Question 11

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-Hume says that he can never catch himself at any time without a perception and can never observe anything but the perception.

Question 12

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-Hume thinks a person is nothing but a bundle of perceptions.

Question 13

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-According to Hume, in our stream of consciousness there is a kernel of unchanging substance.

Question 14

In this selection Hume argues that a person does not have a self. He says that learning comes from sensory impressions and that there does not seem to be a separate impression of the self that we experience. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that we have a self. The most with which we can identify ourselves is our consciousness, and that constantly changes. There is no separate, permanent self that endures over time; personal identity is a fiction.
-For Hume, identity is merely a quality that we attribute to differing perceptions.