Full Idea
I have no cognition of myself as I am, but only as I appear to myself.
Gist of Idea
I have no cognition of myself as I am, but only as I appear to myself
Source
Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B158)
Book Reference
Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.260
A Reaction
The key thought of the 'transcendental ego', showing a clear difference from Descartes, who thinks he directly knows himself (Idea 1401). He disagrees with Hume (Idea 1317) when he says there is an appearance. What could the true ego be like?
Related Ideas
Idea 1401 Since I only observe myself to be thinking, I conclude that that is my essence [Descartes]
Idea 1317 A person is just a fast-moving bundle of perceptions [Hume]