Eastern philosophy says the self is an illusion

[BidenPresident]

Yes it is. What else could it possibly be?

You are confusing the concept of a self with the concept of a person.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

You are confusing the concept of a self with the concept of a person.

Incorrect. I have given a relatively straightforward definition of what one means by the concept of "self". What is your definition of "self"? (or more accurately per your hypothesis the Roman definition)

 

[BidenPresident]

Incorrect. I have given a relatively straightforward definition of what one means by the concept of "self".

I never saw it. Please repost it.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

I never saw it. Please repost it.

I have spoken it several times now. The concept that one is separate from others. That's the self. If one understand that one is not the same as the person standing next to them then they have a sense of "self".

What is YOUR definition of self? (Or more appropriately what was the Roman definition since you say they invented the concept). Also can you show me in the vast roman literature where the sense of "self" was invented?

 

[BidenPresident]

I have spoken it several times now. The concept that one is separate from others. That's the self. If one understand that one is not the same as the person standing next to them then they have a sense of "self".

What is YOUR definition of self?

I walk down the sidewalk and see a person. I don't see a self.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

I walk down the sidewalk and see a person. I don't see a self.

So, for the third time, what is your definition of self? I'm genuinely curious.

 

[BidenPresident]

So, for the third time, what is your definition of self? I'm genuinely curious.

I defined it already.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

I defined it already.

I missed it. Please let me know which post. Thanks!

 

[BidenPresident]

I missed it. Please let me know which post. Thanks!

I gave the context in Christian emergence from the ancient Roman world. It is that as a person is a self/subject, so is God a self/subject. It is a concept. It has nothing to do with the fact of a human body.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

I gave the context in Christian emergence from the ancient Roman world. It is that as a person is a self/subject, so is God a self/subject. It is a concept. It has nothing to do with the fact of a human body.

OK, using that "definition", when you see another person on the street how do you know you aren't looking at yourself? (That no doubt sounds like an absurd question but it is at the heart of what the self is. And according to your hypothesis apparently before the Romans defined it people must have constantly been confused about where they ended and a different person began. I guess we have the Romans to thank for a LOT of really great things, but this one seems like a bit of a stretch.)

 

[BidenPresident]

OK, using that "definition", when you see another person on the street how do you know you aren't looking at yourself? (That no doubt sounds like an absurd question but it is at the heart of what the self is. And according to your hypothesis apparently before the Romans defined it people must have constantly been confused about where they ended and a different person began. I guess we have the Romans to thank for a LOT of really great things, but this one seems like a bit of a stretch.)

You confuse, or conflate, a person with a self.

 

[BidenPresident]

OK, using that "definition", when you see another person on the street how do you know you aren't looking at yourself? (That no doubt sounds like an absurd question but it is at the heart of what the self is. And according to your hypothesis apparently before the Romans defined it people must have constantly been confused about where they ended and a different person began. I guess we have the Romans to thank for a LOT of really great things, but this one seems like a bit of a stretch.)

We call the ancient Greeks and Romans pagans, or polytheists. This leads to calling the Christian idea of monotheism an advancement or correction.
But each is a theory of the subject. Monotheism means there is one guiding Subject, a true identity. Polytheism does not require there to be a subject which unifies all the experiences of the person.

 

[Cypress]

So much hatred. And anger. Funny but you tell everyone you don't feel those things. Which is it?

Obviously you have a pathological need to get in the last word Perry Phd, so I will wrap things up here and leave you to continue to stew in resentment and petty grievance.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

You confuse, or conflate, a person with a self.

No I do not.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

Obviously you have a pathological need to get in the last word Perry Phd, so I will wrap things up here and leave you to continue to stew in resentment and petty grievance.

Such anger. I wish you'd have actually just engaged with the point and not sought to turn every opportunity to attack me into that.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

We call the ancient Greeks and Romans pagans, or polytheists. This leads to calling the Christian idea of monotheism an advancement or correction.
But each is a theory of the subject. Monotheism means there is one guiding Subject, a true identity. Polytheism does not require there to be a subject which unifies all the experiences of the person.

This is not a definition of the self.

What is the self?

 

[BidenPresident]

No I do not.

Then, I make the distinction.

 

[Margot]

Such anger. I wish you'd have actually just engaged with the point and not sought to turn every opportunity to attack me into that.

Cypress is a name dropper,not a debater.He has no views,just parrots others views,when he can't win he blocks you!

 

[Saint Guinefort]

Cypress is a name dropper,not a debater.He has no views,just parrots others views,when he can't win he blocks you!

100% correct.

 

[Saint Guinefort]

Then, I make the distinction.

Let's go back to ancient times before the Romans. Did no one understand the "self"? Did no one think that they were different beings from other people?