A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume - Essay Example

There is no self: David Hume The question of personal identity has been studied in depth by many scholars in the pastand present. However, I am drawn to Hume’s arguments since they seem more convincing than any presented by the other scholars. Besides, they are the most regarded. As a matter of fact, John Searl says authoritatively that Hume has the ‘last word’ on personal identity. At the very beginning, it’s important to note that Hume is an Empiricist. He is a believer in sense experience as a primary source of knowledge.

He believes in observable phenomena, that greatly influences his view on the self (Hume 297). He believes all the elements that make up the self can be observed. The most vital premise he advances to support his ‘no-self’ conclusion is that there is too much turbulence in ones life for one to remain untouched. This is a well thought position. Imagine that constantly in life, one has to tackle varying circumstances using equally varying means. It’s impossible that there is a part that remains impervious to all this change.

Small elements about our make –up may remain the same but the general picture is altered from time to time and with different situations. Also, central in Hume’s study of the self is his assertion that the self is “is a bundle or an assemblance of different perceptions” not a substance (Hume 300). Perceptions are” ideas or impressions” about oneself. This is to say that every person has a character that is unique to them. It also to states that this “ideas and impressions” are recognizable even by ourselves.

By and large, we all agree to some extent with Hume’s position. The ideas that build up to his conclusion are well thought out and go a long way to re-affirming him as foremost on personal identity. Work Cited Hume, David. A Treatise of Human Nature. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1967. Print