Personal Identity

psychological state criterion problems: our memories are not continuous in our consciousness;
sleep, amnesia, other psychological issues: multiple personality/split personalities, dissociative
identities
body criterion problems: all cells in body change every seven years, new person every seven
years?
brain criterion: brain transplantations? brain hemorrhages, surviving on one hemisphere
identity issues

Ship of Theseus (Theseus paradox) recorded by Plutarch in Life of

Theseus
John Locke (1632-1704) Psychological Properties Define the Self

personal identity lies in consciousness, we think we when we are

conscious; our identity is in our thoughts (the sameness of rational
being)
this consciousness can be extended backwards to any past action or
thought, so far reaches the identity of that person
we can empirically observe the substance of our identities
immaterial substance unites within animal/human
ability to reflect (introspection) constitutes personhood
personal identity indicated by successive memories, continuity over
time (psychological states criterion of personal identity vs. brain/body
criterion)
person could take on different bodily form and maintain identity

David Hume (1711-1776) We Have no Substantial Self

no separate, permanent self which endures, all learning comes

from the senses
no impression, constant and invariable, there is not one, pure
source for identity