Introduction to Philosophy: Personal Identity

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Questions and Answers

What is one major criticism of Locke's theory of personal identity as presented?

  • It relies too heavily on physical characteristics.
  • It does not consider psychological continuity. (correct)
  • It assumes memories can be unreliable.
  • It suggests identity is based solely on behavior.

According to the modified memory theory, what is necessary for two persons to be considered identical?

  • They must share the same physical body.
  • They must have identical experiences.
  • They must have been part of the same family.
  • They must have had direct or indirect memories of each other. (correct)

What conclusion can be drawn from the transitive relation of identity based on the example with the little boy, soldier, and general?

  • Identity cannot be transitive if continuity of memory is lacking. (correct)
  • The little boy has memories of the general.
  • The general is the same as the little boy.
  • The soldier can remember being the general.

Which factor is most crucial for maintaining personal identity through the teletransporter case?

<p>Psychological continuity must be maintained. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What dilemma does Derek Parfit's teletransporter scenario present?

<p>Whether the original person still exists after teleportation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of identity does the concept of psychological continuity emphasize?

<p>The role of memories and experiences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What outcome results when the general lacks memories of the little boy, according to the identity theory discussed?

<p>The general cannot be considered the little boy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the teletransporter thought experiment, what does the failure of the device to destroy the original body introduce?

<p>A conflict in establishing personal identity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Locke's theory, what is the basis for personal identity over time?

<p>Psychological continuity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the teletransporter thought experiment, what is the significant question regarding identity?

<p>Will the resulting person be the same individual? (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the psychological criterion of personal identity suggest?

<p>Identity relies on a combination of memory, beliefs, and character traits (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to John Locke, how do human beings and persons differ?

<p>Human beings have physical bodies, while persons are thinking intelligent beings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a few cells from a person's brain are replaced, according to the content?

<p>It is unclear how identity would be affected. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Locke mean by 'a thinking intelligent being'?

<p>A being whose identity is the same across time and place (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of identity does the term 'transitive relation of identity' refer to?

<p>The continuity of self over time (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Locke's theory of personal identity?

<p>Memories and psychological continuity as the basis of identity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If you wake up with your friend's body and brain, but retain your own memories, which criterion aligns with your choice of identity?

<p>Psychological criterion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of personal identity, what does the transitive relation of identity imply?

<p>If A is identical to B, and B is identical to C, then A is identical to C. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What philosophical thought experiment challenges conventional views of personal identity?

<p>The brain swap scenario (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which criterion emphasizes the importance of memory in determining personal identity?

<p>Psychological continuity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key question arises regarding the body criterion of identity?

<p>How much imperceptible change can occur without losing identity? (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does psychological continuity relate to personal identity in the discussed theories?

<p>It involves the relationship between a person's current memories and past experiences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does the teletransporter thought experiment pose regarding identity?

<p>It questions if one can be identical with a copy in a different location. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In discussing personal identity, which of the following concepts is NOT typically associated with Locke's theory?

<p>Physical continuity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Psychological Continuity

The idea that a person's identity is maintained through the continuity of their memories and experiences.

Memory Criterion of Identity

A theory stating that a person remains the same person if they have direct or indirect memories that link them, whether their physical body or location changed.

Problem with Locke's Theory

Locke's theory of identity based on memory has a problem that transitive identities lead to contradictions.

Transitive Relation

A relationship where if a=b, and b=c, then a=c; it is the basis of the problem mentioned before.

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Modified Memory Theory

A theory stating that a person's identity is determined by direct or indirect memories, which includes memories linked to others.

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Teletransporter Case (Problem)

A thought experiment aiming to question whether a person's identity is maintained when they are recreated as indistinguishable from a copy of someone through information copying.

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Teletransporter Case and Identity

The teletransporter case poses a challenge to the claim that a person is continuous with their memories.

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Defect Teletransporter

A theoretical scenario where the teletransporter doesn't destroy the original body, raising ethical and philosophical questions concerning identity, particularly when comparing it to non-destructive scenarios.

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Personal Identity

The concept of what makes a person the same person over time.

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Psychological Criterion

Personal identity depends on continuous psychological connections, such as memories and beliefs.

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Memory Criterion

Personal identity is linked to the continuity of memories.

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Brain Criterion

Personal identity is tied to the physical existence of your brain.

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John Locke

A philosopher who considered memories essential to personal identity.

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Memory Theory of Personal Identity

The theory that a person remains the same when their memories remain the same, regardless of physical changes.

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Body Criterion

Personal identity is tied to your physical body.

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Brain Download and Upload

A thought experiment proposing transferring consciousness on a computer

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Brain Swap Case

A thought experiment where two people's brains are swapped into each other's bodies. It explores whether personal identity is tied to the brain or the body.

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Problem with Body Criterion

The difficulty of defining how much change to the body is acceptable before it no longer represents the same person. What if you replace parts, organs, or even your entire body?

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Numerical Identity

Being one and the same, meaning two things are identical, not just similar.

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Qualitative Identity

Being exactly similar, meaning objects or people share qualities but are not one and the same.

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What makes you you over time?

The central question of personal identity that explores how we remain the same person despite changes in our bodies, minds, and experiences.

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Study Notes

Introduction to Philosophy: Persons and Personal Identity

  • Lecture topics include the problem of personal identity and significance, body theory, memory theory, modified memory theory, thought experiments, split brain cases, and Parfit's solution.
  • Varying descriptions of self exist across cultures, time periods, and contexts.
  • Philosophical questions about personal identity include what defines an individual, and how one has continuous existence over time.
  • The concepts of "essential self" and "numerical identity" are discussed.

The Problem of Personal Identity

  • Questions of personal identity include: What makes you, you? By what features are past and future selves the same person?
  • The issue of personal identity is crucial for ethics, as our responsibilities and sense of accountability often rely on it.
  • If past and future selves are identical, this shapes our moral relations to past actions.
  • Concepts like guilt, responsibility, punishment, reward and care for the future depend on whether people are the same over time.

Theories of Personal Identity

  • Body Theory: A theory suggesting personal identity depends on the physical body.
  • Memory Theory: Personal identity hinges on the continuity of memories.
  • Modified Memory Theory: A nuanced extension of the Memory Theory, incorporating direct and indirect memory.
  • Brain Swap Case: A thought experiment illustrating the implications of brain transfer / exchange on personal identity.

Thought Experiments and Cases

  • The Brain Swap Case involves exchanging brains between two people. This experiment seeks to understand whether identity resides in the body or the brain when it is transferred.
  • The teletransporter case addresses what happens to identity when a physical body is destroyed and replaced with a perfect copy.
  • The memory swap case explores whether identity resides in memories.
  • The Split Brain Case highlights the separation of the brain's hemispheres and consciousness implications. Split-brain patients have different experiences from different sides of their brain.
  • These cases challenge our assumptions about what constitutes personal identity.

Parfit's Solution

  • Parfit's solution to the problem of personal identity emphasizes psychological continuity rather than numerical identity. This means the relationship between two people over time hinges on connections of memories, psychology and mental states.
  • Parfit argues that personal identity is a matter of degree and the connection between the two people (a person before the transfer to a person after the transfer). A series of successive experiences connects the two people.

Conclusion

  • The presented material highlights the complexity of the concept of "personal identity." Multiple views of personal identity are important to note.

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