The simple fact is that in all possible conclusions about self, its nature, as well as its role and ultimate destiny, are grounded in faith. Given this fact, it not only makes sense to turn to religious tradition as a source of information about the

Unlike the other identity models, however, I cannot embrace aspects of any other self model. I must reject them all. For example, I may not, according to my concept of identity, believe in the importance of sensory input at the expense of all else (hedonism is out), I can also not cite the benevolent nature of God as a basis for proving a Descartes-like theory based on the utility of my senses. After all, do I not see many whom God has chosen to be deficient in hearing, sight, taste, smell, or touch? Does that mean that God favors some over others, and he has designated them to "be" more, or "exist" more saliently? So, too, should I believe that "I think, and I am," yet the plainly insane man next to me on the bus does not exist?

The fact is, many consider the definition of faith, itself, to be the antithesis of logic-and most certainly the antitheses of science. Yet, take a close look at all of the reasoning applied to each viewpoint, and there it is, lurking underneath. Indeed, without exception, every one of the self-identity theories involve faith in one form or another, yet all of these also fail to properly cite its presence as a key component-a kind of grease, perhaps, easing the choppy, halting motion of not quite convincing trains of reason. Further, if faith is indeed a component in all, even if it is so obviously distasteful that almost all fail to give it its due, does it not make sense that one should take the faith-based course of "best result?"

John Perry's book, "A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality" is indeed an interesting read. Although through reading his work the one begins to understand the many different viewpoints on human existence and identity, much of one's ultimate conclusions must be based upon some form of faith. When I say "faith" I do not necessarily mean a specific religion. On the contrary, I submit that even an atheist who relies on the theory that he or she only exists due to the existence and survival of the physical body is demonstrating a kind of faith in that premise. Sure, they may believe that science can account for the existence of the mind and thought-however, a reasonably thoughtful person who embraces this notion will necessarily recall that scientific belief about the nature of the body and how it works was quite different just a few hundred years ago. For example, doctors once thought an imbalance in the "humors" caused mental imbalances. They also believed that these imbalances could be corrected through "draining" various kinds of humors. Clearly, according to modern medicine, the "cause" of the mental imbalances, or mental states (and the mind is what we experience as internal reality), is due to tiny neurons in the brain, and not on any elemental humor that can be "drained" or balanced. If, then, science (the temporal "representative spokesman" of the body-based identity theory could be wrong in this case, could not science also be lacking in the ability to account for the continued existence of mind, even after the end of physical life as we recognize it?

Given this truth, my personal concept of self and identity seems to be a wise one. Consider, for example that I believe that I am destined, though my belief in God, and my accomplishment of good deeds, as well as the avoidance of bad, to die and live infinitely in some form with the same "mind" I think with right now. My sensory experience may be different after death, certainly my physical being will no longer be the same, yet the same mind with which I compose these words will continue. For me, this is a matter of faith-and faith by definition is a struggle with doubt. However, in choosing belief, in this self-theory, I necessarily reject non-religious models.

Clearly, this idea is hardly new. In fact, it was Augustine who used logic (and faith) to assert that it only makes sense to choose faith in God and the afterlife rather than unbelief, in that to choose God would only

Some common words found in the essay are:
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