Imagine this situation: some unwitting victim is rendered unconscious, and a device is implanted into their brain that stimulates certain part of their cerebral cortex, such that it is possible to remotely control that person’s actions. Further, suppose that, in order to maintain secrecy of the implant, it is programmed to make the person believe that they had originated these extraneous actions. What would it be like to be this person? It is a frightening thing to realize that, in all probability, they would feel exactly the same as any of us when making an action. Is free will really a good assumption to make about ourselves if it can so easily be faked?

Imagine another situation: a person receives a similar brain implant, but this time, the implant causes them to believe that they are someone other than their “true” self. They have all the memories, all the habits, and all the potentials of this person. Is it not reasonable to say that the “old self” has been replaced by the “new self,” and that the person really is now the person they have been deceived into being? If personal identity can so easily be faked, then is it really a good thing to rely on in our daily life?