Reviews

‘Baggini mashes up philosophy with psychology, Buddhism, neuroscience ... considers the role of memory, demolishes a theologian's (bad) arguments for the soul, and suggests that "multiple personalities" are like different "users" of a computer system ... We end with some entertaining reflections on medical immortality, "free will", and the "extended-mind thesis", which holds that your iPhone is part of you’ Steve Poole, Guardian

‘Baggini works on a broad canvas, citing Hume and Locke alongside the reflections of sex-change patients and victims of dementia. While leaving the ego in pieces, he gives your mind a thorough workout’ Maggie Ferguson, Intelligent Life

‘Baggini's study of how identity is defined is lucid and backed by a wealth of anecdote’ Andrzej Lukowski, Metro

‘Dismantling the idea that we have a 'true' self, philosopher Baggini guides us on a tour of multiple personalities to discover the ways we construct our identities. You won't see yourself the same way after reading this’ Stylist

‘In this entertaining, educative and gracefully written book, Julian Baggini explores the questions of the nature of the self and in what sense it persists through time ... as Baggini shows, these are not "merely" philosophical questions. Psychology, neurology, gender issues, brain tumours, head injuries and dementia, multiple personality, memory, social construction of personae, ideas about souls, reincarnation and the afterlife - all these are in some way relevant to the debate and Baggini considers them in pursuit of clarification, arguing that there are, indeed, answers to be found ... This is one of the best, most readable and most stimulating introductions yet written about this intriguing topic. Enjoy, and profit’ AC Grayling, Financial Times

‘There is no shortage of philosophers, from antiquity to today, arguing for the view of the self as an illusion sponsored by a dynamic bundle of elements. But Baggini's book is set apart by two virtues. The first is that Baggini knows the philosophical terrain far better than most popular writers, and he is expert at working through the knotty conceptual issues with elegance and a light hand. He provides a masterly synthesis of lofty speculation with hard nosed empirical findings, always with humane concern. The second virtue is his interest in thinking through the practical consequences ... Baggini may be better here at raising the questions than providing the answers, but they are important questions to raise and ones we are only beginning to address’ Charlie Huenemann, Times Literary Supplement