Who Am I?

What is it that makes us most distinctively ourselves? Our bodies, our memories, our values...? Take a tour through the philosophy of personal identity.
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FURTHER READING
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CREDITS
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Music
Woods by Hawkin #TheSchoolOfLife

[@RufaelSolo]

I can't honestly believe I'm watching this for free. Stunning.

[@refathbari7468]

+Prometheus Max Thank you for bringing my gratitude to consciousnesses.

[@EADaang]

+Refath Bari And thank you for articulating your gratitude to bring my own gratitude to consciousness.

[@refathbari7468]

Esther Abigail Daang Anyone's pleasure.

[@amaurimedici8030]

We've become used to monetary reward as the one and only motivation for quality work. However, there is still some people out there who place many more things above money as their values and motivations.

[@vapekitty]

Bronson Duhart or they're already well off.

[@mikemarks6136]

this guy can talk about walls for 3 hours and still make it sound interesting

[@mikemarks6136]

FU 2 i dont watch the videos some times i listen on my way to work or while reading the comments

[@mikemarks6136]

FU 2 why are you triggered by this?

[@mikemarks6136]

FU 2 you still didnt answer why does it bother you so badly? Are you that lonely with your own life that you have to pester random people on youtube for enjoying something

[@mikemarks6136]

FU 2 i just find them interesting enough to listen to thats it

[@adrianah3587]

deleted all of the replies LOL

[@Anthony-43]

"We never really change, we just become more of who we really are."

[@joaquinbartsch4325]

dr house!

[@kanichiwoh]

Red dead redemption

[@mordecaismopstick]

kanichiwoh game has a lot of life lessons

[@susanadisanti5028]

@@joaquinbartsch4325 🤣🤣🤣

[@joaquinbartsch4325]

@@susanadisanti5028 :(

[@natinatyoutube]

All the people in this comments section are the type of people you (want to) meet at a party and then you and that person end up having the most beautiful, deep, mind blowing conversation, all night long, somewhere away from the music and everyone else. And when the sun starts rising and it's time to go, that other person is still a stranger yet both of you feel like you know and understand each other better than anyone ever did, all because of this conversation... Who am I ? Someone who enjoys the beautiful energy and people gathered by this video. But you can keep your asparagus and mayonnaise tho, I'm good. 😂 Sending love and light to anyone who'll read this in the future.

[@nicolehennessy7380]

We would all discover the meaning of life 😂 or is there a meaning?

[@ojastuli7368]

This is so perfectly put into words. This is exactly what I feel and what my idea of being with someone is. When you meet new people, that is like... The elixir for me. Meeting new people is my kinda gift, the gift I want. Just new people. I want to discover more. I'm okay with the already existing, the people I know, but doing this with someone you know nothing about, and an absolute stranger, and then probably developing something over time is just pure....feeling.

[@nicoleluna6269]

This is so true. I need more people like us in my life.

[@tylerdurden7057]

This is so relatable. I watch Carl sagan, Alan watts. Sagans pale blue dot always gives me existential crisis. I love this kind of talks. Anyway anyone looking for friend to talk about space, psychology and have existential crisis. My ig- quasarr_3c273

[@VeniVizzleVici]

@@tylerdurden7057 Why are you seeking to experience an existential crisis?

[@MoreTravelPlease]

The graphic art used in these videos are seriously outstanding

[@CatineSkyi]

Moreganplease any idea what software they used to make them?

[@juliannacampusano9509]

Their illustrators are the bomb!

[@viseshsaxena8797]

Yes it is really awesome

[@andyrodriguez5211]

Couldn't agree more, great looking!

[@kelsyhua8988]

@@CatineSkyi ik this is a year late but it could be After Effects lol

[@roydm143]

You can not bathe twice in the same river, because the second time, neither you nor the river are the same

[@superagucova]

I was looking for this exact quote!

[@luiselizondo7886]

The world of Sophie

[@annaluciamangiacotti2646]

Panta Rhei, Heraclitus

[@JosepCoronadoTV]

@@annaluciamangiacotti2646 Thanks. It is kind of sad to see some people attribute the quote to a 90s book/TV show when the actual quote is over 2500 years old.

[@SomeOne-db7xs]

Ta panta rhei ke ouden menei (if we are to be pedantic) - τα πάντα ρει και ουδέν μένει - meaning; everything flows and nothing stays the same. Great stuff from Heraclitus. Funny what kind of stuff people thought about 2,500 years ago, based on empirical evidence. Classical philosophy is fascinating and ridiculously relevant regarding many modern day issues.

[@theananyo]

Only your "character" is not constant. Your values, inclinations, sense of humor, beliefs are always changing and developing. Arguably it's the most dynamic part of your self-identity.

[@lola-br4ps]

So except the temper,what is constant then?

[@theananyo]

@@lola-br4ps nothing about us is constant. We are always changing. everything is. That's the beauty of it.

[@wattydoora375]

akou Chochi no stable identity, in the sense that we are ever changing. one point they made in the video that i can’t get over, is the notion that our character can persevere in the absence of our memory. if this was the case, then even if our character was changing, then there would be some ubiquitous sense of self that all forms of our life would share, whether we are a child or elderly. but doesn’t memory in fact inform the way we react to a situation, our character? in the same way that our character changes with new experience, aren’t our identities simply a culmination of experience from the moment we opened our eyes as a child, each choice made and consequence faced changing the way we may react in the future, which is why you cannot say that we have a fixed character, or a stable ‘identity’

[@wattydoora375]

@akou Chochi for sure mate and i think the instability of our character is really more of an opportunity for growth. i hate parts of the person i was 5 years, or a year ago, or even a month ago, because i like to think i'm constantly maturing and developing emotionally. not sure what your last little nugget of existentialism was about there, but hope you're doing okay

[@wattydoora375]

@akou Chochi yea i definitely know the feeling. can’t really offer any advice or insight other than my own experience, which is that repressing those thoughts and distracting yourself with the triviality of day to day life seems like the least painful way to deal with mortality. i also find genuine intimacy and connection with others, although so rare, can also help to numb the reality of our existence; if you don’t have such people in your life, then don’t stress seriously, because they’ll come along i’m sure and you’ll be happier because of it, or at the very least, less concerned with death

[@dcllaw677]

Moral of the story (in my humble opinion); try to live a decent and honorable life so that your life can be a lesson to those around you and those of all of you whether it’s children of your own or just other people.

[@georgekyle165]

Damn.. This is soo loww..

[@skepticonolion5970]

Existentialism

[@Jackgritty28]

Are you affected by your environment,it's all about survival, are we being our true selves, be yourself at all times, the future is not guaranteed,it's a true test of character, what do you value and why, our species as a whole🚩⛔🆘✅💲

[@manuellanthaler2001]

Yea just live like other people tell you how to live... and why you say its YOUR opinion? I dont get it

[@tddinhlv]

Moral of the story: if you're born fucc, you're fucc

[@bottomtext]

I want this man to narrate my daily life

[@793Drew1]

lol.

[@bethbartlett5692]

bottomtext He is the supreme narrator, although I do not agree with a fair number of his opinions - advise statements. But he speaks them eloquently!

[@aruvielevenstar3944]

Me too, I Need hem to make me satisfied because of his wisdom

[@babbisp1]

bottomtext You should play The Stanley Parable. I think it could fit you.

[@lhagwha]

narrator is black guy

[@pimpinmajesty8205]

It's 3 a.m. and I've been stuck on some type of crisis and this is actually helping get me through. It's comforting knowing I'm not alone

[@Suzeskyblue]

Hi majesty, I hope things have gotten better in your life...take care of YOU! Susie

[@kualks4563]

2:44 am same problem

[@kevinrehn3259]

1:25 am here, not in a crisis anymore I would like to believe. Only trying to better myself by understanding and knowing myself and I have to say getting to get to know yourself a little better has been the answer for me. Being able to think more positive and understanding the things I value has helped me sincerely. I hope you'll find your answer one day already if you haven't already found it.

[@Dontstalkme378]

3 pm here and I feel the same

[@RontschDaPontsch]

@@Dontstalkme378 How are you, Parinita?

[@mlemmlem9885]

"What do you really like about me?" "Your soul"

[@subhamkumar16]

If it were kabir singh he would say," I love the way you breathe"

[@paulnielsen3256]

In this exploration into the "self", it seems there is no acknowledgement or mention of the soul; yet, there exists overwhelming evidence of its existence - not the least of which is exposed in the numerous accounts of past lives...

[@NehaSharma-cj7uj]

@@subhamkumar16 I was jz thinking that!!!!!😂😂

[@VictorDude98]

@@paulnielsen3256 There saying there is a soul is trying to prove there is something there where it isn't

[@paulnielsen3256]

@@VictorDude98 For some humans, it's plain as day from a very early age; others spend their entire lives learning the lessons that will help them to eventually understand.

[@generosityquotes9834]

This....."When you’re 20, you care what everyone thinks, when you’re 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you’re 60, you realize no one was ever thinking about you in the first place."👌👌👌

[@feliciakidd9358]

Love your comment! You are so very right.

[@wildsidetv313]

I turn 40 next year but I already realized nobody don't think about me

[@angelita4163]

not true at all. my parents are 50 and they still only care about people think/have to say. my grandfather is 87 and he cares about what people would have to say about his 24 year old granddaughter who is still not married. people never stop caring about what the other person thinks.

[@abbas22mohammed]

@@angelita4163 what is the solution in your opinion

[@maryfitzgerald4812]

Exactly!

[@jsepn]

This channel deserves much more attention than most 'successful' ones.

[@Johntub3]

false

[@markgarv8475]

I agree!

[@Johntub3]

Gokul Nair This video is intentionally working around problematic existential questions and making fasle claims for the sake of being optimistic. Vsauce 2 has video on similar, if not same topic, and did arguably much better job, without bullshitting their viewers.

[@Johntub3]

Gokul Nair Do you really believe our personalities are made up of our ideas wich live on after our physicall death, wich makes us immortal in a way? If so, good for you, I guess I would too would feel happier if it weren't for the fact of me being able to critically asses delusion when I come around it. I can explain you as to why it is false if you're interested.

[@hannahteegen6395]

+Jan Škopek can you explain why its false because I'm curious

[@nandokgg]

i wish you guys had a reference section, where youd tell which books and thinkers are used as an inspiration or should be read to better understand the video

[@nandokgg]

***** Sure, i like it, but still not quite what i suggested and would like to have. I want alain to suggest me books and thinkers on these wonderful themes, got it? :D

[@noamhalperin4380]

+fernando martins The Unbearable Lightness of Being is a great novel, which touches this subject thoroughly. Although it is quite a hard read, it is wonderful. The author is Milan Kundera.

[@bolivar1789]

+fernando martins Hola Fernando. Here is a booklist Alain recommends: alaindebotton.com/book-list/ Best wishes!

[@nandokgg]

thanks a bunch guys, kundera is actualy on my to read list.

[@thedarkestwhite9460]

+fernando martins Mein Kampf

[@Princess-deyana]

Why did he leave me with more questions than answers 💀🤣

[@starrysky1588]

Exactlyyyy

[@pomlo222]

Yea it’s just even more confuse

[@professorbaxtercarelessdre1075]

well, without questions, there can never be answers, i suppose this video was like a personality test in its own right, only we have to find the answers for ourselves, or something idk lol

[@Princess-deyana]

@@professorbaxtercarelessdre1075 i agree, it was a great video!

[@mobychoc]

Keep asking questions until you're truly exhausted of asking questions, at that point you'll know

[@timfonteyne]

3:21 it means: 'As long as we are humans, let us be human'. - a Latin student ;)

[@sharduldeshpande059]

Thank you Tim.

[@erikthomas6046]

Seneca the Younger said this, but it is more accurately translated to, "As long as we are among humans, let us be humane." I quite like the mistranslation here though, seems to be a more timeless message than what Seneca was saying about politics (how ironic to be more timeless than Seneca)

[@skepticonolion5970]

@@erikthomas6046 Thank you good sir. When i read your comment i went to see if i can spot the equivalent latin word for "among". I guess it's inter because "among humans" in french can be "entre les humains" and "entre" sounds a lot like "inter".

[@danacampbell1958]

As Woody Allen said, "I don't want to live on in people's hearts and minds. I want to live on in my apartment."

[@AbdulazizUgas]

love that

[@b0xcutt3r]

Disagree respectfully,

[@dorothyparker100]

You are not a very good thinker or you would not have come to that conclusion!

[@neaspirea3125]

+michael berry care to elaborate?

[@drugstocope]

+Linnea Spirea He doesn't have to. It's pretty self-explanatory if you're a good thinker yourself.

[@Em-kg7qn]

I feel like I have joined a cult. I have been drawn inside his channel for hours and my life seems to make so much more sense...

[@ChristEnlightenment]

Amarina E. So I guess joining a cult makes you feel as if you found meaning in your life lol

[@may.css.html.]

same

[@ItsNoodles90]

Hello Em7 from 5 years ago can you please shut up

[@syrollesse]

"Most people would choose their brain" Me: why would I need my anxiety ridden blob of matter no thank you I'll take the belly button

[@glasssunset322]

Right before he said that most peeps would choose their brains I was all like “my eyes!”

[@lay-2356]

i didnt even think of any part of my body when the narrator asked, i literally just said just take all of these i dont even need them 🗿🗿🗿

[@lavish_1717]

Haha I’d take my heart 💕

[@MichelliFR]

Omg, I laughed so hard with this!

[@pemo619]

I'd take my nail, I dont want to be a brain floating in this world to end up being experimented in, not to mention that you just wouldnt be alive regardless of which part of your body you choose.

[@aquaticarrow55]

I think the best friend you'll meet is someone who has similar loves and hates, but has a totally different character than you.

[@samtheman7860]

I agree

[@chamiaalaeeddine8518]

Nice

[@aquaticarrow55]

Whats that supposed to mean?

[@Nation16]

I agree

[@realitycompliant]

seems bullshit to me.

[@jiffylou98]

this is well animated

[@jiffylou98]

reeaaally well-animated

[@MoManiaTV]

mines bigger

[@thomase13]

I actually jumped at one point when something came at me! Amazing how it's in that trendy flat style of today, but still three-dimensional enough to look real in a way!

[@androidanonymous8988]

I wanted to say Good Animation, but i almost cried watching this video. I would have been a completely different person without THE SCHOOL OF LIFE. I m happy i found this channel. Keep up the good work.

[@WesleyWashington]

+Android Anonymous Okay so I'm not the only one that got a bit teary eyed. Yay lol.

[@poliestotico]

+The School of Life This animator was certainly great, made everything very easy to follow and was not flashy and distracting, congratulations.

[@user-sp3mx7ck2v]

+Android Anonymous it's a neo-Nazi channel, just like Evalion's.

[@3OHT.]

Cult detected

[@poindeckster2]

the music, the color, even the tone of his voice is tailored towards self reflection. It enhances the message a lot and I think adequately depicts how important the message really is.

[@marycopper4463]

I noticed the same idea myself recently. I hate being valued only for how I look. Because am quite fit and handsome, but when it’s the only thing people value and praise about me I feel like they are living behind a part that’s much more important. It’s like they fail to notice I have a personality, awesome interests, am kind and genuine and it makes me feel invalidated.

[@josegiraldo5865]

Having English as my second language. The fact that I can’t share this with my family as they wouldn’t understand is so frustrating!! This channel is amazing and just what we all need. It would be amazing having this in different languages ❤️ thank you for all the effort you all put behind these videos. They are amazing

[@susansherlock6934]

Enquire as to whether KZbin has a translation service for the videos posted on here ? For example, subtitles?

[@hadi2397]

This was therapeutic

[@Johntub3]

+Orange Only if you are not smart enough to read between the lines though

[@Johntub3]

Pretzel Zotikos xD

[@hanshintermann1551]

What do you think is between the lines that neutralises the therapeutic effect of the video?

[@hadi2397]

Jan Škopek I feel bad now xD

[@juliapowell1930]

I just came across this video. It is meaningful for me as my mother has dementia, and I agree with the idea that you are not your body, or your memories. You are your character. My mother doesn't have long or short term memory anymore. But she continues to be warm, kind, engaging, concerned for others, self deprecating and has a great sense of humour.

[@romika3577]

This is beautiful

[@romika3577]

I wish good health to your mother

[@TeKeyaKrystal]

!! brings a little light to my heart in my grandmother's situation as well

[@ElliotTheCoach]

Julia that is so wonderful. I'm so grateful you took the time to share this thought, because for all of us going through something similar or, in my case, a low level background worry that it will soon happen to our parents, and eventually us too, it is so very relieving.

[@MiillieMesh]

I'll always remember how depressed I've been. What I had to grow up & endure emotionally & spiritually & physically. That will always stay with me.

[@dinkinflicka1345]

This channel is slowly obliterating my depression! Mind blown and I'm so thankful!

[@lambusaab]

what? At 67, I wont remember what bugged me at 25. I should have never spent so much time in anger and hatred.

[@AYEGEEArt]

Thank you for this comment,I was blinded. I wasted 2¾ days thinking about a wasteful thing.Good thing I've seen this sooner rather than later,it made me remember.

[@JasonMcHenry]

You're not your body. You just have a body. You are a state of your mind. Our state of mind is also the only thing we can take with us when we die and it's also the only thing that we have any sort of control over. It's what matters the most and is oftentimes something that means so little to us that we trade it for the most insignificant things.

[@Dani_1012]

I also agree with this, our minds are very important, I believe even more than our physical health, depending on what it is of course

[@LeSunshineee]

i like

[@daliborsavic7799]

Who is the one who sees states of mind ?

[@papalouis9111]

@some body It started all scientific, and then - in my oppinion - took off. Where did that "energy field" come from, and how on earth would it make the strings vibrate all over the place. By the way, i feel like your theory struggles a bit with the chicken and the egg paradox

[@papalouis9111]

@some body fair enough

[@jessicadalcindasilva7113]

I’m in love with the brains behind this channel ❤️

[@phinie1487]

The question of "keeping your memories but having different values etc" was so paradoxical in itself. Because most of our values stem from (prolonged) exposure to certain things (stored as "memories"). May it be social groups or the media we consume. Maybe also the context in which it was presented also forms our opinion. Because let's be real- we don't always know immediately of know how we feel of certain things, so we need some sort of feedback/reaction of others to "set it" or to approve that feeling.

[@sherouksoliman2962]

EXACTLY THANK YOU

[@cecilia9396]

exactly what i was thinking

[@realitycompliant]

the letters in each word we say are really close to each other, but they could be separated if necessary. the reactions we started to have are not necessarily indistinct from memory about what caused them, although in practice those memories are usually imbued with our subjectivity all over.

[@pomegrateful]

i think he meant that the interpretation or perception of those memories are different. people under the same conditions will still develop even slightly different morals to some degree

[@pomegrateful]

^ and value the same things or people differently. it all comes down to how our brains are wired. nobody is the same.

[@abisz007007]

I dont even wanna know how incredible time-consuming the animations for your videos are. They are extraordinaire

[@brownbear728]

My character has changed A LOT from seven years ago, before depression set in. I do feel like a different person.

[@Carcosahead]

+Clau Schwa don't be depressed, be happy :)

[@bigol9223]

+Carcosa Wow, problem solved!

[@fefalim13]

+Carcosa you realize you're saying something like "don't have cancer, be healthy :)" right? really helpful indeed

[@Carcosahead]

hey at least i'm trying to help sorry people of the internet :(

[@brownbear728]

+Carcosa hahaha, thanks I appreciate your good wishes.

[@adelords]

I discovered in later part of my life that I've always been a storyteller/writer/coder but I lack social skills

[@nua.h2757]

❤️

[@backintime3355]

Same here. Mine just came out a little earlier than yours

[@freshboi8745]

This made me think of my beautiful mother and the compassion she’s inspired in me. Thank you.

[@Wildoutness]

me watching this, just sitting here and boom! then I learn a recipe about asparagus and light mayo sauce, you learn everyday.

[@_sumina]

how does it taste? doesnt sound very appetizing

[@user-rq4rt3ti8l]

I kinda like the idea of a friendly alain de button living in a jar somewhere, putting tiny life affirming wisps of thoughts out into the universe and making us all feel less alone (all in a British accent, of course).

[@user-rq4rt3ti8l]

lol why do you say that?

[@daniel.duarte]

This is one of the most profound and beautiful philosophical theories I’ve ever learned. Thank you very much!

[@CatAnonyone]

This perception of ourselves is so beautiful. "If we think that who we are is to large degree about our values, characteristic loves and hates, then we are, in a sense, granted a kind of immortality, simply through the fact that these will continue to live on in our species, as a whole, lodged here and there, outside of their present home."

[@ForeheadSweat]

I would watch a whole movie of videos like this touching different topics for like 3 days straight. This beautiful animation, wow. Props to the team behind it.

[@SuperWarbringer666]

agreed!

[@SuperWarbringer666]

+Sean Kenny well that's a part. of making a good video. but things that r said in the video r still true

[@msxx700]

Man, I fucking love the School of Life. Keep up the awesome work you guys, you're doing something important.

[@naturallaw1733]

+Kushal Dhillon Of course sure it's always about Views. This is YT after all. ;)

[@EADaang]

+Kushal Dhillon I wonder the same! I have a theory it's because this comment directly acknowledges the channel makers' general contribution and service to the larger community rather than just appreciates the quality/content of the specific upload as per usual (which is also nice, don't get me wrong). This kind of active gratitude has to be specifically acknowledged in return, it practically demands a "you're welcome" from the creators. I mean, we all want to know our work is making a difference, right? We need validation for it, for our purpose. We want to hear not just "nice!" or "awesome!" but "this is helping" and "what you're doing is important." I can't help but reply too if it were me. It's good knowing one is not just a beautiful waste of time.

[@rahulsawant_pikachu]

+Kushal Dhillon The above comment got attention depends upon a number of factors the most important of that factor is the KZbin's algorithm it is totally random ;)

[@Sammydnh]

I've been struggling with my identitiy for a while now. I feel like I've been living someone else's life. I don't know why but this video not only brought me relief and comfort but brought me to tears. Thank you.

[@alfredocorleone9068]

Hang in there ! I passed tru something similar. Lovebof my life and i broke up. And i ended up forgething who i was. At some point wondered if i ever knew who i was before living with her and sharing so much. Take a time to live your own life. Look for your likes and dislikes be true to your feelings. That is the begining of self love and appreciation for who you really are. Im still in process but happy to walk the right path

[@MaxiDoesStuff]

For like 3 years i have been asking myself "Who am i?" "What is my place in this world?" All that. This identity crisis sucks but im glad i'm not the only one.

[@ChrisOakesCO]

The answer you are Everything!

[@MaxiDoesStuff]

@@ChrisOakesCO Thank you! but sadly that doesnt help me :')

[@ChrisOakesCO]

@@MaxiDoesStuff No apologies necessary, it's ok. 😊 Here's another suggestion, maybe you could find a place by choosing what place you'd enjoy filling. Doing something that helps others (any living creatures) would be as rewarding to you as them! The type Energy you spread comes back to you in waves Multiplied!

[@MaxiDoesStuff]

@@ChrisOakesCO Thank you dude! this really helps

[@ChrisOakesCO]

@@MaxiDoesStuff My pleasure but I hope your being honest because if it doesn't help it wouldn't hurt my feelings. We each require different solutions sometimes. Remember the most Powerful words are I AM and whatever you add to I AM you become! 🙏🏼

[@KSMohoganyWizard1869]

"All those moments will be lost, in time, like, tears, in the rain."

[@AndyCamPalace]

+Matias Alric *awkwardly lowers head as pigeon flies away.*

[@Staremperor]

This time, the visuals of the video were great. Sometimes, I love to listen to The School of Life, but this time, I also loved to watch it.

[@Me-to5zw]

I saw this for my philosophy final in baccalaureat 3 years ago and I still go back to watch it .Such a beautiful video

[@sophiebergerondesign]

Let’s always make sure that what we leave behind is love, integrity, compassion and consistency. Thank you for this fascinating information. I’m a huge fan! 🙏🏻

[@andreamelgar7645]

I am in love with this channel, I am Guatemalan and I love this because I learn about a lot of topics and your accent, we are use to hear American English but not your English, that accent lol... It helps me a lot. THANK YOU.

[@Graceymay74]

I'm in awe of the narration... the most beautiful accent! the pauses, the clarity, cadence and annunciation sucks me into these vids more and more... could listen all day. soothing and welcoming... plus an ASMR effect for a bonus :) love your work.

[@gabelocoban]

The narrator and his british accent got the gift of the gab :) .... Yo tambien soy de Guatemala, y que bueno saber de personas que les gusta aprender buenas cosas!!!

[@kylewit924]

Beautiful. What can I say, this little video is so important to me and I'm not sure I can thank School of Life enough

[@AmanDeep-gg6sp]

Haha I feel the same bro

[@QueenOfTheCoast]

Me too

[@kanikamaheshwari9732]

This channel is positively so addictive as it opens up every emotion and thought subconsciously addressed or not and providing this for free is such a noble service to humans in today's times. God bless everyone who encourages others to be their best :)

[@dinashufaniya3921]

One of the outstandingly cleverest philosopher nowadays and to my opinion stands with the greatests. Everything he says is worth listening to, a true teacher, who always leaves the listener optimistic and with hope. What a gift.

[@atticustay1]

This doesn't go deep enough. Really, there is no self, it's an illusion. The video concludes that we are our values, but our values also change just as much as everything else mentioned.

[@potassiumlanthanium5655]

Hume, i presume?

[@chiliray4515]

Yes. To go deeper, explore Zen Buddhist philosophy.

[@LenaEKul]

interesting..

[@manamurata6158]

Hume is not entirely convinced of his own conclusion that identity doesn't matter. Philosophers like Locke (in response to Descartes) and Hume (in response to Locke) agree that there is some conception of a personal identity because (for Hume) upon "introspection" there is something that allows us to wake up every morning and believe that we are the same if not similar to who we were yesterday. What ultimately defines or identifies where personal identity emerges from is the central debate.

[@potassiumlanthanium5655]

@Mana Murate Since when did he said that identity doesn't matter?

[@flerma223]

I'd like to think that what makes me a unique individual are my memories, which create my personality.

[@sahidcm]

I really appreciate the transcript, at the bottom of the description, because I can lower the volume and read out loud, following along the reading speed. I can always tap on a line I couldn't keep up with to hear it again. It turns into a great tool for us ESL learners! Thank you.

[@christinajanelle518]

Worth the wait . Thank you . I love you if you’re reading this.

[@sammaxwell8362]

I am nothing more than a bundle of atoms and a long chain of random events. Who are you?

[@jayfawn8478]

I have precise answer on that but I forgot it now

[@KOTAAOMEE]

+Sam Maxwell Hypocrite that you are, for you trust the chemicals in your brain to tell you they are chemicals. All knowledge is ultimately based on that which we cannot prove. Will you fight ? Or will you perish like a dog ? - Sad Frog

[@sammaxwell8362]

Jérémie Nicolas I'm not a hypocrite, I'm a physicist.

[@sammaxwell8362]

***** I don't know where you get the idea that I am a butcher.

[@asstornaut1066]

+Sam Maxwell sorry, but you are wrong atoms don't even exist as you think they do.. they are 'tiny tiny piece of something.,they don't have a specific location, when you cut certain amount of a piece of, for example, wood', you get tiny tiny tiny of 'wood'(which can be now called as an atom of wood). and even if you said that you are the stuff inside your brain, you would still have problems because you have to go deep, and you have the confusion of the quantum world, quantum stuff and especially quantum foams. finding yourself there is finding your existential nature, by your means of materialism, the deep you go , the deeper the substantial stuff and mystery stuff is. You are probably your DNA, your mind, your consciousness, and your self (memories+stuff), and seeing by where stroke happens in the brain and people lose their selves and consciousness, you are probably where aneurysm is located (in the middle of the brain). And If you want to look it in a more occult way (as Descartes said), you can say that your inner being is located at the pineal gland (also where lucid dream happens, which is your inner self world). And you also can't be a "chain of events", events happen, you aren't the event, If a car hit a bus in front of YOU, , by your logic you are now a broken car. haha, This is utterly ridiculous. hahah. No, you are not a chain of events. SOMETIMES You are INFLUENCED by events that happen around you. (see the difference? without a reductionist fallacious comment)? your comment is utterly flawed.

[@sshum00]

isn't memory an intrinsic part of one's identity? a man with amnesia is no longer the individual he once was, his choices will be different, his character will be different so to speak. our decisions are fundamentally built from our memories, experiences, and genetics. if we removed memory, would you still be you? part of me thinks no. similarly if you took someone's memories and implanted then in a body, that being will think he's the original person.

[@Grejegando]

What if you had an accident and lost all your memory. So now you are learning everything from scratch. Would that make you a different person?

[@johnrachmiel2245]

Grejegando Yes and probably depending on your hormones you will feel what you will eventually feel from your memory of your ideology plus the experiences you will receive depending on where and when you are.

[@atomnous]

Shelby S Who are we when we were a baby? When we had no memory? And now out of a sudden we have a sense of self...

[@1000OtherFoxes]

but memory is in the past its already gone, so what makes you ''you'' at any given time

[@hahahahaqmal9922]

A part of me thinks so too. I believe that what we went through in the past (our memory of it) is what shapes our character and they way we react to certain events.

[@raniamahmoud3165]

I must've watched this video 10 times by now and each time I come back to it I realize something new

[@calstri]

My professor had this as a video we needed to watch and I am not disappointed. This is amazing.

[@josephineschnekenburger2074]

However, characteristics- values, morals, beliefs- change over time as well. Therefore, we are not our characteristics-but then who are we really? We are in which the "thing" that does not change within this ever changing mind, body and feelings.

[@josephineschnekenburger2074]

If you ask me, I would say that we are the essence of god having a human experience.

[@Chotabear]

We are our own god.

[@edfromchowderheads1312]

Josephine Schnekenburger I'm not being weird but you look exactly like my girlfriend. It's not you but by chance do you know someone called Caoimhe?

[@josephineschnekenburger2074]

No I don't, sorry to disappoint you.

[@edfromchowderheads1312]

Josephine Schnekenburger fuck

[@boomelyh3llik]

i miss my brother terribly... this helped me with perspective and reminded me that he lives on in/with me in many significant ways. Thank you

[@israaabdelfatah2978]

'Who am I?' Me: not sure man, but I'm sure as hell gonna watch a 7 minute video about that which will help me finding out nothing.

[@crisyeah1621]

This is very therapeutic for those (like me) experiencing an identity crisis. Thanks for this!

[@muhammadmuazal-khair9182]

“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.” ― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

[@mkultra85]

I believe that the brain is like a trap, being in another trap(body). Brain is a materialistic thing that keeps the soul and awareness in a materialistic world. The brain unites the soul with the body.

[@HeyWelcomeToMyWorld]

Substance dualism has already been proven to be complete nonsense. There is no soul, you are your brain.

[@whyme8848]

Nice thought, interesting.

[@lifehacks4the230]

If we were our brains than we would all be the same. We would all behave in exactly the same way , like androids or animals. Each persons character is so distinct. Yes we may be similar, but I cannot say that two people are truly the same. There is something other than whats impulsed by our brains, that makes us , us. The brain is only concerned with survival, like with animals. Animals seek to eat , sleep, avoid death and reproduce. However, human beings, like no other species, thrive off progression, evolution, pleasure, agape love. We create spaces that allow for entertainment, we explore for exploring sake. We travel to discover, we try to help each other, we do things for meaning. This differs from person to person and completely differs to the lifestyle of animals who live on instinct, driven by the brain. I would not be foolish enough to believe that I am who I am, soley because of my physical brain. For humans, everything starts as a thought and then becomes a reality, intangible but yet so powerful . Not everything is material. This is the true definition of spiritual. @@HeyWelcomeToMyWorld

[@whatsmynameagain5052]

::

[@Luna-ft8yh]

Yes. The mind is not the self. The heart is what it's all about. Make a person brain dead and he'll still have memories from the soul. Lessons are learned equally in in each body, thus each brain, each hallucination. But the blood tells we're always the same past down again and again by our beating hearts.

[@NowhereNomad19]

For someone who has always been afraid of death and being forgotten, this created alot of security. 💕 thank you

[@nasimfatima4151]

An effort to remember is within your power, but to not be forgotten is something we have no control over. It is time to change priorities my friend. I am from India and would like to know you better.

[@Sanjovalentine]

This made me think about my mother, who died in 2015. In a sense, she is immortal, living on through all of us in some way...

[@AliTheAllStar]

I would much much rather remember everything but feel and value differently. I couldn't imagine living without my memories. I feel as though they're much closer to the core of who I am. My feelings and values change almost daily on the other hand.

[@Ketraar]

+AliTheAllStar But do they? See if you recall your memories but feel them differently, are they your memories still? I reckon most will agree that worthwhile memories are attached to feelings, smells and sounds. The way we perceived those memories, if one is to perceive them differently its like watching other peoples vacation pictures in a way.

[@AliTheAllStar]

Ketraar I don't really feel that would matter. I value the facts more than the emotions.

[@Ketraar]

***** I see, a rather sad thing to say imho. I appreciate facts but without the emotion is there any connection? A song for instance, the words in the lyrics are factual, but do we appreciate the words or the emotions they convey? I think its the later, but each their own I guess.

[@AliTheAllStar]

Ketraar I believe the choice was not to remember everything and have absolutely no feelings and values whatsoever but just to have a different set of feelings and values. If you still had the same set of songs but just enjoyed different ones or different things about them then that would surely be better than liking the same ones but not being able to listen to them again?

[@AliTheAllStar]

***** I wouldn't hate those values anymore though once I had them. Also, I repeat, the premise was that we would have a different set of values, not no values. I think it was build into the question that we would still have feelings and values of some description.

[@ColoredStripes]

Mad respect for these animations! Great story as always.

[@mikemarsh3569]

+Buk Lau Like a somebodeeeeeee fuck u bicboii :))

[@andrewboyddotcom]

My son (19) lives with his Mum and his sister. He was a chubby bundle of irrepressible fun and energy throughout his childhood, always well behaved and capable of meaningful reflection on deeper issues when he sat still. About five years ago he changed profoundly in part because of his natural development. In part because of the discovery and growth of his significant musical talent and leadership qualities. Despite being most pleasant and up beat however his spontaneous sense of fun and mischief have gone and he's different, more self possessed. He had great personal faith, was tipped to be the next prophet but now it's completely gone though it hasn't given place to irreverence. He's lost 50 lbs in weight. Without my knowledge or concent his Mum sent him for counselling as he said he felt responsible for our separation though he was only four at the time. Whilst he is a fine young man by any measure, he has changed. He is not the boy I raised and I feel a slight discomfort with it. Just thought that I would share something.

[@alejandroc7357]

To give some personal input. A realization I’ve come to in adulthood, is this feeling that we have been lied to. You live your younger years being worry free. Not worrying about bills, disease, mortality, accidents, drugs etc… Now all of a sudden you live in a world where people are 2 faced and will stab you in the back. Too many of us lack a purpose in life.

[@YS-in1jk]

So absolutely soul soothing - I love your work the videos and the calm timbre of your voice is so delightfully blissful and evokes feelings of warm nostalgia. Thank you all at The School of Life for all the work you do. It truly is medicine for the soul!

[@FrancisRoyCA]

"The Self is an illusion." ~ Buddhism 101

[@ChrisLeeW00]

Anatman

[@Velicottero]

"A girl has no name"?

[@oliverjh4105]

‘All things change in a dynamic environment. Your effort to remain what you are is what limits you’ - Puppet Master, Ghost in the Shell

[@Johntub3]

+Francis Roy "Everything is an illusion produced by Brahma's tendence to manifest himself in manifold forms" Hinduism 101 What strikes us as real is but a veil of maya, and what is speculative, immaterial, unfathomable and abstract is real. Even the logic behind eastern religions is cyclical! At least western philosophy builds from the ground up.

[@SickendArrow]

+Drunken Sailor are you drunk? Or can you simply not spell?

[@KhmerL0VEKhmer]

For as long as I could remember, I've always been aware of the voice inside my head (the voice inside the head that makes the thoughts, when I talk to myself inside). It's a memory. Therefore, a part of who I am is my memory, the things I know etc... If I were to wake up & forget everything, I may not be interested in the same things I once was. It wouldn't be me anymore.

[@professorbaxtercarelessdre1075]

yeah, that part of the video was a bit weird to me. though a few things were tbh lol. i don't think we're ever wholly one person, one "character", but rather a blueprint of a person that we evolve and adjust over time, like a protagonist in a video game that we made. they start as nothing but we give them their own backstory as we go along, so that by the end of the game they have an identity. we're kind of our own protagonists

[@zedbot7381]

"I am not what i think i am, i am not what you think i am, i am what i think you think i am" my fav quote from Cooper. I like this idea that the perception of my "Real" self in "real world " is the mix of both my perspective and others. But i also want to have a power where i can be alone so that i can show my "True self" without constant anxiety from others.

[@giarooz7]

My heart broke when one of them turned to dust by the end

[@iamdissapointed6810]

Same. I cried a little 😢

[@neelanshguptaa1440]

Another great video. You guys never disappoint👍

[@szymonharbuz9052]

Wow, The School of Life, this is your best so far. I would like to speak about the topic of the video, but I'm still to amazed.

[@yoya4766]

The wonderful Alain De B is bringing philosophy to the public. Educating, enlightening and encouraging with these videos. And opening us to new vistas of exploration. It's a service to humanity.

[@9000ck]

This is the sweetest thing on youtube. And there are many many sweet puppy and baby videos on the internet. But the idea that immortality is achievable because aspects of who we are persist in someone, somewhere is the sweetest and most comforting notion.

[@LuckyBastardCandleCo]

The "I" is always changing and is never really the same as before.The I is never really separate from anything else either. Every person's feeling of I, is the same "I", the same essence, it is only illusion and limited sensory capabilities that keep us from seeing this.

[@ericrosenberg8188]

Harlan Langlois dont underestimate sensory capabilities. If illusions change our experience than the sameness of I or essence is also changed. Only if we transcend our illusions is our moment to moment experiences or life moments more similar.

[@AaronMetallion]

I write journals concisely and articulate myself to the best of my ability so my future self can read on it. We loose what isn't preserved, why do old pictures make us happy? old messages? old memories? "capturing and preserving" a state in time that will never repeat itself is in my opinion the essence of being the same person. People become different versions of themselves, but they are innately the same software, different patches. Version 2.4 - Painful breakup, patched, v3.0 - Went through existential dilemmas, patched. v3.5 - Father now, new set of responsibilities, patched. Not every update is necessarily an upgrade. Our individualism does carry on if you cling to it. A lot of people allow themselves to change, some adapt and conform to their environments and their immediate social groups. In 10 years some go through so many personalities, married people relate to this (The feeling of being with so many identities, while being committed to the same person). Others cling desperately to their values, ideologies, visions, and derive more strongly off their internal reference over an external to shape their growth. There needs to be a certain ego and stubbornness in place. I still reflect on old journals, and recollect old memories in vivid detail, my oldest memory dates back to 14 months of age, and I record every memory I recollect lest my mind fails me. And I think most importantly I keep practicing my craft: music, art, painting, without these I feel a disconnect from self. We loose what isn't recorded, we become what we give ourselves permission to become. Some of us change, others simply grow.

[@seehumor2647]

I appreciate your perspective - being one's self is what life is all about! I actually define who I am in the last video on my channel - I encourage everyone to do something similar: Define WHO YOU ARE, and then stay committed to stay true to yourself no matter what.

[@psychoctapus8069]

Absolutely adore this channel, granted me such peace by teaching me who i truly am when all along the answer was just myself

[@Kyun9432]

Our combination of values, hates and loves will not exist ever again. The "me" will not exist again, I and all people in the world are special.

[@Kyun9432]

***** haha. is that a quote from somewhere?

[@Elifagman]

+Sardun family guy I think lol

[@Kyun9432]

I and all people in the world are special except for that one man in crowd.

[@wikygaming]

Who am i? JOHN CENAAAA!!!!!

[@Yotrymp]

DOOT DOOTDOOT DOOOOOT

[@Kid_Convalescent]

+wikygaming Don't be so selfish, we are all John Cena. Every one of us. Don't be so entitled. Can you see me bro?!

[@Yotrymp]

Man, why am I the only one in this comment section?

[@jingmingrong2454]

Watching this video has already made me feel better about myself. Thank you for this topic

[@eddpalenciavanegas6739]

As always, The School of Life giving us priceless material to cope with life and existence. Thank you!

[@amanofnoreputation2164]

I will forever live on as an internet meme.

[@OutlawMantis]

My biggest fear is being forgotten. But of course, for the vast majority of us that is an inevitability, so I have to accept it.

[@youtubecitizen4898]

I cried. Thank you for uploading this.

[@kiarasmt7133]

omg this so pure and so beautiful thank you from the bottom of my heart thank you

[@mikojYT]

This has to be the best video on this channel

[@ridhamkothari8691]

One of the best explanation of "who am I" ever.. 🙏🙌 thank you for sharing this .

[@Ehsme]

I really liked the ending of this and how it makes it so that the enduring thoughts, values, and sets of ideas are what make us live on beyond death. My catcpassed away last summer, and evern though she wasn't human, I can still remember her character, and the way she meowed and just everything. Made me smile a bit because in a way I feel she also lives on

[@rishabhisthename]

BEAUTIFUL.THE AMOUNT OF WORK BEHIND THIS IS EXEMPLARY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

[@whyissheonherphonealltheti8701]

ptsd and Depression fucked me up. that's what happened. I used to have such a Happy life.

[@FunnyFace710]

Me too, though I am taking very small steps each day to get to be happier again. It's a long process and I am not beating myself up if I don't make progress quick enough. What matter is that I am still trying each day, no matter how small.

[@stevo728822]

There's something wrong with this logic. For a start, I'm pretty sure behaviours are built upon memories of past experiences.

[@Mae-oi1mz]

stevo728822 totally agree with you

[@WhitneyDahlin]

stevo728822 yes and no. certain opinions and values are based on memories of what we've learned but temperament pretty much stays the same throughout life. that's why everyone has a base level of happiness they always eventually return to. (ie you get a job promotion and are happy for a few month eventually you get used to it and return to the same baseline happiness you were at to begin with or you have a bad break up and feel depressed for a while but eventually return to the baseline level of happiness) it's in our genetics and there isn't much we can do to change that

[@stevo728822]

It's hard to say because to test whether that is true you would have to lose all of your memories and start seeing the world afresh again. I'm pretty sure these memories clog up our brains with preconceptions even about ourselves and happiness.

[@stevo728822]

Maybe you return to the baseline because your memory fades of the event. They say time is a healer. In which case how you feel is based upon the sharpness of your memories.

[@ShinOpaque]

I think that point loops back to his point of, if we lose our memories of certain events, we still keep out values. For example, I use to be homophobic, while I dont really remember every event that helped changed my narrow way of thinking, I know what my stance on it is now. And i wouldnt want that changed. Its true that memories play a big part in defining us, but even if I forget what happened to me in the past, I know who I am at this moment.

[@haydentravis3348]

I'm so glad somebody is thinking of us like this.

[@em_jav2417]

This makes me think about how I might be able to know the meaning of life when I die but I’ll never be able to tell anyone living about it.