You make a very convincing argument. I think I agree with you. I consider myself a composite of other living beings, not just myself, but that doesn’t mean that there is no me. In the past, I thought a great deal about what the Buddha had to say about the self, but I think he was wrong. These historical sages do not see themselves as the same thing as the common man, or other animals, although they say they do. In fact, they divide themselves by attaining “enlightenment,” etc. Good article!