Where do I begin?

-A-, Our distinctions based on a dualistic form of reasoning, entertain the prop that nothing is entirely anything while everything is partly something else. Thus the humanoid is partly dead while the chlorine atom is partly alive. Consciousness too is an analog tribute not digital. Thus anything supposedly "alive" is at least partly conscious (and possibly something not considered alive, such as PC)

Quite a good essay except for the penultimate paragraph which ignores the holistic interdependence of 'lifeforms'. (B+ )

How “You” and “I” were formed.

Humanity has developed a very sophisticated and complex procedure to build the individuality, independence, and cognitive identity of any singular person. Very early in life humans are assigned names. Yet one name stands above all others and remains unseen by the majority. Along with your familial name is the universal name of “I”. This “Name of I” is a name that most humans share with one-another, with exceptions and distinctions found across the borders of foreign cultures and languages. Different societies, histories, and philosophies develop different notions of the “I-Name”. When “You” and “I” share the I-Name then “We” refer to our distinct and individual selves as We, a group, a society, a race, a nation of people. But “We” are also a population of “I”.

Every individual is different in at least some subtle way. No ‘I’ is the exact same as the next; thus there is no true equality or equal value of I. Every person, every ego, every identity is separated by bodies, proximity, time and space. Your existence is not identical with another. Thus ‘I’ becomes distinct and expands its individuality.

“I” can be male or female, tall or short, wide or narrow, white or black, rich or poor. I can be any nation, any race, any society. I can be any person, at any time, in any place. I exist throughout humanity. I am humanity. I –is– Humanity. What you know as your ‘I’, yourself, your ego, is everything of value to any person. The I-Name and I-Identity has utmost importance. Very few people can truly or realistically separate Ego from its I-Name identification. Because what are you without “I” and with a name? What is the body without the mind?

I-Identity is an education and represents a passage of (Human) culture. All I’s together represent the whole of Humanity as a large, all-encompassing Hominid specie. Thus the I-Name binds everybody who is distinct and individual into one grouping. I is a unifying idea, a unifying name and recognition. Everybody recognizes “I” as thyself. Begin to consider how “I” is formed, not only in your life, your childhood, your maturity, but also in others and throughout the history of humanity.

Where did “I” come from?

Where do “I” begin?

Thank you -A- for that rundown on the "I"

It is described however in dualistic humanoid language; whereas for instance the apodictical existential pantheist noting it lacks the means to describe our notion of God as All; the Universe Her body, the activity therein Her thinking

The soul being everything about one except his body

Granted your intention involved no such requirement, nonetheless your description of identity most excellent. Noting your profile empty I am curious about you: age, nat'l, ed., interests, rel, mari status, kids, etc. If you wish to avoid such revelation in public forum I'm [email protected]

Unless that is a rhetorical question designed to introduce your next chapter, the general answer is that 'self' is considered to be a by product of socialization via language. See, for example Daniel Dennett.