- #1
Richard87
- 31
- 0
Why am I who I am, and not someone else, like say, Bill Gates?
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Why am I who I am, and not someone else?
- Thread starter Richard87
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the philosophical question of personal identity and individuality, specifically exploring why one is oneself rather than another person, using Bill Gates as an example. The conversation touches on concepts of reality perception and the implications of being someone else.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest that the question of identity is akin to asking why a color has its specific attributes, implying a fundamental nature to personal identity.
- One participant humorously proposes that being someone else, like Bill Gates, is contingent on the fact that Gates "got there first," hinting at the role of timing in identity.
- Another participant introduces the idea of a "reality tunnel," suggesting that individual perception shapes one's identity, referencing Robert Anton Wilson's concept.
- There is a question raised about the implications of being able to be anyone else, suggesting that if one could be someone else, it could lead to an infinite regression of identities.
- Several posts humorously assert that the individual in question is actually "someone else," adding a playful tone to the discussion.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of identity or the implications of being someone else, with multiple competing views and humorous interjections present throughout the discussion.
Contextual Notes
The discussion includes various assumptions about identity and perception that are not fully explored, such as the implications of reality tunnels and the nature of individuality.
- #2
JerryClower
- 68
- 1
That is the equivalent of saying "why does green have the attributes of green, and not the attributes of another color."
- #3
JoeDawg
- 1,466
- 1
Richard87 said:
Because Bill Gates got there first?
- #4
sylas
Science Advisor
- 1,647
- 9
Your mother and I have always wondered whether to tell you this, but it looks like now we have to.
You *are* someone else.
You *are* someone else.
- #5
Evo
Staff Emeritus
- 24,114
- 3,277
sylas said:
Maybe you will get an invite to dinner after all. Maybe. Bring alaskan king crab legs, LOTS of them.- #6
magnusrobot12
- 53
- 0
you are who you are because you view the world through your reality tunnel. this concept was brought to the mainstream by the 20th century satirist Robert Anton Wilson.
- #7
Newai
- 33
- 1
Eh, if this was possible, where would it stop? Wouldn't you be anyone and everyone? Because there isn't a limit imposed on the idea that you would be "someone else."Richard87 said:
- #8
EnumaElish
Science Advisor
- 2,348
- 124
Dad!sylas said:
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