A long debated philosophy question. I have pondered it for quite some time, and believe that I have come to a conclusive answer regarding the subject. I would seek to answer this question in a type of dialog, similar to that of the Greeks.
Who am I? : Dialog
In the public square stands two men, arguing about philosophy. They are watched intently by a captive crowd, who had often seen these two go at it before. One of them, Callicles, a great thinker from the Northern Provinces, sits by being cross-examined by a thinker from the Mediterranean South, Phaeton. Callicles thinks that he has the answer to the vital question, "Who am I?" Phaeton protests, and demands that Callicles defend his allegation.
Phaeton: Who are you?
Callicles: I am me. I am Callicles.
Phaeton: But who are you? What separates you from any other man named Callicles?
Callicles: My body, and my physical features.
Phaeton: But what if we were to make a double of you, with a similar body? Would that be you?
Callicles: Obviously not, it would merely be a poor copy of myself. However, I would still be separated from my double by my individual will, my thoughts, my emotions, as well as my experience. I would be separated from them by my identity.
Phaeton: But what if we were to replicate these also? Would that be you?
Callicles: Again, no. A being exactly identical to myself, even possessing the same memories as mine own, would not be me. What separates myself from all else, what makes me me, is my individual consciousness. And to my individual consciousness is attached all of what makes up my identity.
Phaeton: But what if we were to create a being with your conscious in it?
Callicles: Then by definition I would inhabit the body of that being. I would be one with it, and it would be one with me. It would be me.
End.
I believe that is the answer to this question is exactly what Callicles testified it to be. We are, at are core, an individual consciousness. A consciousness not shared with anyone else. All our own. We are a consciousness inside an identity, and an identity inside of and surrounding a physical body. I believe that is the best way to explain my proposition.
What do you think? Am I right? Have I answered the question? Let me know in the comments.
And as always - have a great day :)