An Algorithm for Identity

You’ve probably heard people say, “Be yourself.” Or, “Live your truth.” People say it without thinking, like it’s obvious. But there is a question underneath those phrases that never really goes away: Who am I, actually?

Teenagers often ask themselves that question. Philosophers have been asking that question for centuries. But the question isn’t just for teenagers or philosophers. It shows up in everyday life—when you walk into a room and wonder how to act, when you scroll past ten different versions of “success” on social media sites, or when your life roles start shifting and the labels don’t fit like they used to.

You should know that most people are building a sense of self on whatever they can grab—personality tests, online opinions, past trauma, peer approval. But none of that lasts. And none of it goes deep enough to answer the real question: What makes me, me?

Three Useful Questions of Identity

Over the years, philosophers have explored the concept of self-identity by posing challenging questions. But most people don’t arrive at their identity by asking hard questions. Their identity is absorbed. It gets pieced together from what their family expected, what their culture rewarded, and what their experience allowed. Over time, that patchwork becomes the story they believe about themselves.

Some theories suggest that identity stems from how we perceive ourselves—our self-concept. Others say it comes from how we think others see us—our reflected self-image. Still others claim that our actions define us, that who we are is what we do. Perhaps there’s some truth in all of those, but none of them are enough on their own. They describe how identity forms, but not whether that identity is reliable, trustworthy, or good.

Some deeper reflection is needed. And that’s where three simple questions—first popularized by philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre—have proven to be very useful. The questions are:

1. Who am I?
2. What situation am I in?
3. What would someone like me do in this situation?

At first glance, these appear to be questions for a journal prompt. And they could be. But counselors have also used them to help people make sense of their past choices. For example, if you believe you’re the victim, you’ll respond one way. If you believe you’re the hero, you’ll respond differently.

But these questions aren’t just used for reflecting on our past choices. You can also use them strategically. And you don’t have to be in therapy to do it. You can walk through them in real time—before you speak, before you post, before you make a decision that could shape the story of your life. They’re a way to slow down and think about identity and consequences.

Ask yourself:
— Who am I? Not just emotionally right now, but truthfully.
— What’s really going on in this situation? What’s at stake?
— Given the first two answers, what would someone like me choose to do?

I think you can see that these aren’t soft questions. They’re the kind that pull your actions into alignment with your convictions—if you have any. They help us press pause on our impulses. They help us consider that our decisions are informed by our character — whether we like it or not.

ChatGPT Predicts Identity Outcomes?

A friend of mine recently experimented with ChatGPT. He fed it a list of affirmation statements pulled straight from Scripture. Then he asked ChatGPT what kind of self-perception a person would have if they believed these statements to be factual about themselves.

The responses were noteworthy.

Here’s the first set of questions he gave ChatGPT:

• I am God's child. (John 1:12)
• I am Christ's friend (John 15:15) 
• I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
• I am united with the Lord and one with Him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17)
• I have been bought with a price; I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)
• I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• I am a saint (Ephesians 1:1)
• I have been adopted as God's child (Ephesians 1:5)
• I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18)
• I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:14)
• I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)

Here’s how the system responded:

Those affirmations would likely create a deeply secure and positive self-perception. If someone truly believed these truths, it would likely lead to a sense of intrinsic worth and identity that isn’t dependent on external achievements or validation. This can foster confidence, resilience, and a compassionate approach toward others. They might also feel a sense of belonging, purpose, and inner peace, knowing that they’re valued and loved unconditionally. In practical terms, this self-perception could lead to more authentic and meaningful relationships, a healthier response to challenges, and a stronger sense of purpose and fulfillment. Essentially, it can transform how one engages with the world, bringing more empathy, stability, and positivity into their interactions and experiences.

He experimented again, this time with a different set of statements.

• I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:1, 2)
• I am assured that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)
• I am free from any condemning charges against me (Romans 8:33, 34)
• I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35)
• I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21)
• I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
• I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected (Philippians 1:6)
• I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
• I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
• I can find grace and mercy in times of need (Hebrews 4:16)
• I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)

ChatGPT’s conclusion was almost identical. A person who believes these things would live with confidence, resilience, peace, and purpose.

Now—before you roll your eyes—no, I’m not suggesting you take moral guidance from an AI. But it’s worth noting what happened. A pattern-recognition algorithm, designed to predict outcomes based on language input, concluded that a person who genuinely believed in Scripture would exhibit emotional stability, moral clarity, and an exceptionally healthy sense of personal identity.

It concluded this, not because it was inspired. But because it was logical. Because that’s what those beliefs do when they’re taken seriously. They produce a healthy, stable, strong identity.

Perhaps the question we should be asking our generation isn’t whether identity is subjective —that is, whether it is based on an internal feeling or sense that one has about oneself. Maybe the real question is: What if there is a source who already tells you who you are intended to be… but you just haven’t believed it yet?