The idea of the “self” as natural belief

Abstract

The actual work aims to provide a brief approximation on David Hume’s investigation of the idea of the “self” or “person” and its inherent identity and simplicity. This discussion is specifically settled in the section “Of Personal Identity” (T, 1.4.6), in the first book of A Treatise of Human Nature. Meanwhile, we need to have in mind some points developed in the initial sections, in which Hume was devoted to map the main features of his theory concerning mental activity. In effect, we look for to show not only the sceptic side of his critic of the idea of the self, but also his replacement of the problem with the following question: after all, why even though it has been proved that the idea of the self is fictitious, we continue mentally inclined to believe in it.