As I come to the end of my strong atheist past, a question comes up that needs to be addressed; what is the "Self"? Does it even really exist? Some groups will tell you that the Self is all that exists and all that matters, others will tell you that the Self does not exist, all is one, be selfless and completely let go of the Ego and sense of personally identity. Then look at the fact that our human consciousness correlates to the brain, our memories are changing, we are constantly increasing our knowledge and experience, even the cells that make the brain are constantly being replaced so the Self is obviously not static and constant, but what is?
The views seems to differ between reductionistic and holistic, but what is it one or the other? This seem fallacious to me. It is obvious that we are part of a greater whole, but even if the "All is One" philosophy is completely correct, there is still a very distinct sense of "I" that I feel should not be ignored. I also think that losing the sense of "I" would render things such as magic invalid, though I do not think a sense of oneness invalidates it either. A common ground, I think, would be best (which is ironic considering that those who want us to reject our sense of self believe in "balance).
Which side do you take, or which point in the greyness between the two?
The views seems to differ between reductionistic and holistic, but what is it one or the other? This seem fallacious to me. It is obvious that we are part of a greater whole, but even if the "All is One" philosophy is completely correct, there is still a very distinct sense of "I" that I feel should not be ignored. I also think that losing the sense of "I" would render things such as magic invalid, though I do not think a sense of oneness invalidates it either. A common ground, I think, would be best (which is ironic considering that those who want us to reject our sense of self believe in "balance).
Which side do you take, or which point in the greyness between the two?
Why?
