How Hume’s Bundle Theory Of Self Affect His Reasoning Regarding Identity

Intro to Philosophy

Hume Paper – How does Hume’s theory of self and his thinking regarding morality and personal identity affect Hume?

David Hume, the Scottish philosopher, is notable for his skepticism. Hume was an espoused skeptic who sought out concrete evidence. Many believed that Hume was an atheist despite his firm belief in the truth. Hume is best-known for his bundle theory on self. This philosophy holds that the self is just a collection or impressions. Identity is a mental act and not a property. His rigid beliefs led him to hold different views about personal identity and morality from other philosophers such as Locke or Berkeley. Hume believed personal immortality was an inexplicable concept. Hume argued that a persistent self is impossible if our perceptions of ourselves are constantly changing. Hume’s argument about the afterlife was that “any change (such as bodily injury) changes a thing’s identity.” Hume’s bundle theory argued that there is no “self,” but only a collection and variety of perceptions. Hume thought this mental reduction reduced people to perceptions and ideas. He was adamant that we do not have a persistent self but only a mental laziness which allows us to ignore truth. His moral stance was identical to his on immortality. He believed that morals should be based strictly on facts. He pushed for reformation in moral philosophy and rejected abstract science.

Hume’s bundle theory describes self as a way to see thoughts and perceptions. They are beings that exist in the present and never change. Hume asserts that we cannot record more than sensations, feelings, and impressions regardless of how we spin them. Hume’s theory made it possible to see morality and personal identity as something beyond one’s control. We are nothing more than a collection or thoughts.