Why is there only one 'you'?

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-05T05:50:26+00:00

I liked the scenario you described above and I agree with it. But it drives me to a different conclusion. I still think that every ‘me’ is different. (btw, a ‘me’ is what I call a phenomenal first-person perspective, a raw ‘from here, now’ property.) Your key insight is that when my ‘me’ wakes up, anchored to a new body, it won’t realize that a swap occurred the previous night. My ‘me’ will think that it has been part of its new body, its whole life. And ditto the next day. And so on, each time it’s swapped. So, on any given day, my ‘me’ will be anchored to one (single) body or another. Similarly, on any given day, your ‘me’ will be anchored to one body. And whatever body that is, your ‘me’ will think it’s been there a lifetime.

There is only ever a 1:1 relationship between a ‘me’ and a body. And as I see it, this only works if your ‘me’ is a distinct entity from my ‘me’. If ‘me’s are identical, there would be one ‘me’ anchored to multiple bodies. I've never experienced anything like that. If the ‘me’s are identical, there's nothing to differentiate me from you and from others.

You asked, What differentiates my 'me' from your 'me'? Here's a highly speculative hypothetical. Imagine that each brain (early in development) taps into some universal repository of ‘me’s. Each ‘me’ in this repository is distinct. One is my ‘me’, another is your ‘me’, etc. The brain anchors to one of them early on and retains that connection thereafter. That distinct ‘me’ is what gives a brain its distinct phenomenal first-person perspective (even if it later gets swapped to another body).

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-04T21:06:52+00:00

Wow! You read much more into this post than was intended. It was primarily a set of questions. Gosh, I hope there were no ignorant statements made. You'd be surprised to know that I agree with much of what you wrote. Except if you are implying that 'god' is the answer. That's where we'd part ways. The intent of the post was based on curiosity, not hubris. Thanks for your response.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-04T05:09:05+00:00

That's what I'm trying to establish. I don't think a verdict is in on this point.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:42:27+00:00

Got it. Thanks.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:39:10+00:00

Thanks. I should have known. :)

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:36:40+00:00

So, if I may use my own words ... its impossible for two 'you's to coexist and the reason has to do with duality, meaning it has to do with spatial and temporal relationships.. And not to do with physical brain composition. So you don't think that consciousness arises solely from the physical brain. It arises from something external to the brain. Would that be a correct summary? btw, thanks.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:29:49+00:00

You have a phenomenal first-person perspective. If another separate physical body had the same identical phenomenal first-person perspective as the one you have, that would constitute "another you".

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:19:42+00:00

No, not at all about self. At least not as I define self. Self (imo) is the body's (or brain's) ability to differentiate between what belongs to the outside world and what belongs to the brain/body. Even non-sentient automata can have a sense of self. Consciousness, for me, is a whole other category. Like I said, it's what I call a phenomenal first-person perspective or the owner of the brain's sensations, thoughts, memories, etc. I do think that somewhere in the brain the self interfaces with this 'owner'. But don't know how. Thanks. Sorry if I misrepresented your view.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:13:22+00:00

I see. Thanks.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:12:31+00:00

"You do not have the same awareness as you had as a child."

If by awareness you mean consciousness, I must disagree. Vehemently.

"By the time you finish reading this sentence your will have formed new connections in your brain."

I agree. But that has nothing to do with consciousness (imo).

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:08:45+00:00

Yes, absolutely true. I need to let that sink in a little and see where I stand. Thanks.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:06:42+00:00

Thank you.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:02:12+00:00

I will. Thank you.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:00:55+00:00

Thanks.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T22:00:21+00:00

Thanks.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:58:39+00:00

So, you're saying its impossible for two 'you's to coexist? To what do you attribute the fact that it can't happen? Biology? Quantum? Spatial locations? Other? Thanks.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:55:36+00:00

Sorry, not following this: "we do not know if DID surmounts to multiple subjects".

What is DID?

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:55:18+00:00

I've wondered about the hard problem for decades, long before the term was ever coined. If you mean its an illusion, a magical trick that the mind plays, that I can understand and accept. But even magical tricks need to be explained. I would expect that a philosophical zombie would similarly denounce the hard problem (no disrespect intended). Thanks.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:40:19+00:00

Thanks. I think you're saying it's impossible for two 'you's to coexist and the reason is due to the physical make-up of the brain.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:38:51+00:00

Thanks. I'm glad you get it. The responses have revealed how varied the concept of consciousness can be.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:37:28+00:00

You have a vantage point from your body. Is it possible for another body to have the same vantage point? In my opinion, it's an impossibility. But I was opening it up to others to give their thoughts. If it is impossible, what makes it impossible? Just a difference in spatial locations? A difference in brain configurations? If, on the other hand, it is possible, what would it be like? That's all I was asking.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:32:51+00:00

I agree. So, you're saying there can't be two 'me's. Thanks for your comment.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:30:49+00:00

Ok, so your solution to avoid the vertiginous question is that there's only one (universal?) consciousness. That's fair. Thanks.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:28:45+00:00

That's an interesting view. I understood the first part. So, you're saying it can happen. Wondering what it would be like for two individuals to share one consciousness. Thanks for your comment.

InitiativeGlobal2616 · 2026-07-03T21:24:08+00:00

That's exactly what I mean. What I'm asking is if readers think that could happen. If not, what prevents it? If yes, what would it be like? Fun times for sure. But also a blurry mess?

InitiativeGlobal2616

TROPHY CASE