In Philip K. Dick's "A Scanner Darkly," the protagonist grapples with the complex nature of identity. He questions the boundaries of self and how one's actions intertwine with their sense of being. This existential pondering reveals the deep uncertainty surrounding personal identity, especially in a world filled with deception and substance abuse.

The character's introspection emphasizes that understanding identity is elusive, as the distinction between who we are and what we do can blur significantly. The assertion that "nobody knows" highlights the universal struggle to define oneself in a chaotic environment, making it a central theme of the novel.