Single Idea 21450

[catalogued under 16. Persons / B. Nature of the Self / 4. Presupposition of Self]

Full Idea

The 'I thinks' must be able to accompany all my representations; for otherwise something would be represented in me that could not be thought at all, which is as much as to say that representation would be impossible, or would be nothing to me.

Gist of Idea

Representation would be impossible without the 'I think' that accompanies it

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B132)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.246


A Reaction

This is evidently a flat rejection of Hume's claim that he is a bundle of experiences with no self to co-ordinate them. Presumably this should apply to animals too, if they 'represent' their world (and how could they not?).