NJPS Volume 4 Number 1 2025

An Epistemic Reflection on David Hume's Notion of the Self

Ogaba, Solomon Isenyo
Abstract

e hear people talk about the self as referring to an enduring existent entity amidst series of changes in an individual over time. Whether such an enduring self truly exists, has become a subject of serious W debate amongst philosophers of mind.This debate in philosophy of mind is known as the problem of personal identity. David Hume is one philosopher who is opposed to the fact that, there is any thing called the self, rather, what we perceive or could perceive are nothing but bundles or chains of perceptions to impressions. Hence, the need for a critical reflection on Hume's Theory of the Self cannot be overemphasized. This paper adopted the philosophical method of exposition critical analysis of terms and argumentation to ensuring balanced and logical presentation of ideas. The paper uncovered that Hume was right to an extent that it will take an infinite regress to attempt to establish a position for the existence of self (personal identity) amidst changes over a long period of time. However, the paper concluded that, with the various criticism levelled against Hume's notion of the self, shows that there exists a self (personal identity) which is difficult to establish objectively, but exist as a particular inherent in a universal

Keywords: david, epistemic, humes, notion, reflection
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