The Question “Who am I, so inconstant, that notwithstanding you count on me?” as the Focus of Ricœur’s Existential Philosophy

Abstract

The question "Who am I, so inconstant, that notwithstanding you count on me?" makes reference not only to the "idem personal identity–ipse personal identity" relationship (Oneself as Another), but also such relationships as "the involuntary–the voluntary" (Freedom and Nature), and "limitation of openness to the world–transcending the limitation of openness to the world" (Fallible Man). In each of those relationships there is a strong correlation between the first and the second element. While the first part of the question is associated with the question of idem personal identity, the involuntary, and limitation of openness to the world, the second part of the question relates to the question of ipse personal identity, the voluntary, and transcending limitation of openness to the world. Taken as a whole, the question indicates that there is a possibility of keeping a promise (also the tacit promise mentioned in From Text to Action) that implies transcending “existential inconstancy”.