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<p>As an increasing share of human life unfolds within digital and virtual environments, the question arises: how do we exist within the digital realm? This paper addresses the ontological dimension of our digital lives. Social media profiles, avatars, and AI-simulations of individuals are often seen as mere fictions or representations. We consider and motivate a more realist stance, according to which digital selves are genuine extensions or components of the self. After highlighting the limitations of fictionalism, we draw on the literature on diachronic personal identity to develop a realist framework grounded in psychological continuity. We consider two metaphysical interpretations of this framework: one construing digital selves as digital parts, the other as digital counterparts. We then examine how psychological continuity can encompass digital entities as integrated components of an extended self. The paper concludes by addressing several objections.</p>

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Digital selves

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月10日

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  • Alexandre Declos,
  • Vincent Grandjean

摘要

As an increasing share of human life unfolds within digital and virtual environments, the question arises: how do we exist within the digital realm? This paper addresses the ontological dimension of our digital lives. Social media profiles, avatars, and AI-simulations of individuals are often seen as mere fictions or representations. We consider and motivate a more realist stance, according to which digital selves are genuine extensions or components of the self. After highlighting the limitations of fictionalism, we draw on the literature on diachronic personal identity to develop a realist framework grounded in psychological continuity. We consider two metaphysical interpretations of this framework: one construing digital selves as digital parts, the other as digital counterparts. We then examine how psychological continuity can encompass digital entities as integrated components of an extended self. The paper concludes by addressing several objections.