Inherent deceptions of self-consciousness, such as illusions and hallucinations, can significantly undermine the trust in the authenticity of our inner "self.

Illusions of Identity: The Fragility of Self-Perception

Inherent deceptions of self-consciousness, such as illusions and hallucinations, can significantly undermine the trust in the authenticity of our inner "self." These phenomena not only mislead us about our perception of the external world but also cause us to doubt the reliability of how we perceive ourselves. For example, one cited source presents a case from a hypnosis experiment in which a young woman, under suggestion, initially perceived herself as a drunken firefighter and later as the Archbishop. This experience demonstrates that even our personal self-perception is vulnerable to mutations: when illusions and hallucinations "trick" our sensory system, they fundamentally call into question the reliability of our entire self-consciousness and our understanding of our own identity.

Thus, such internal deceptions cast doubt on the stability and permanence of our personal "I," highlighting that our self-perception can radically change under the influence of specific psychological mechanisms. This points to a deep connection between sensory deceptions and the integrity of our inner world, allowing room for the emergence of splits or distorted self-identity.

Supporting citation(s):
"If the so-called deceptions of the senses (illusions and hallucinations) give us the right to doubt the reliability of sensation as evidence of the physical world's objective reality, then the observed, though less frequent, deceptions of self-consciousness similarly prompt doubts about its testimony regarding the true reality of our psychic subject. ... Clearly, even if these facts are far fewer, they fundamentally undermine the assumed self-authenticity of our personal self-consciousness" (source: link txt).

"In a recently published special edition, it was reported that during a hypnosis experiment in France, a modest young working-class woman, under the influence of suggestion, began to perceive herself—judging by her expressions, gestures, words, and actions—first as a drunken firefighter and then as the Archbishop of Paris. ... such facts, even if far fewer in number, fundamentally undermine the assumed self-authenticity of our personal self-consciousness" (source: link txt).