What is it like to be a self? A special issue on the phenomenal self

Some philosophers believe this: We are every moment intimately conscious of what we call our self; we feel its existence and its continuing to exist, and are certainmore even than any demonstration could make us-both of its perfect identity and of its simplicity⋯Unfortunately all these forthright assertions are in conflict with the very experience that is supposed to support them. We don't so much as have an idea of self of the kind that is here described. From what impression could this idea be derived? This question can't be answered without obvious contradiction and absurdity; yet it must be answered if the idea of self is to qualify as clear and intelligible.