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PHIL100 Hurdle Task

The document argues for the psychological continuity theory of personal identity. It claims this theory best accounts for [1] changes in our bodies over time while still considering ourselves the same person, and [2] the malleable and context-dependent nature of our sense of self as shown by psychological and neuroscientific evidence. The theory emphasizes psychological continuity based on memories, beliefs, and personality as the basis for identity rather than physical or biological continuity. This provides a nuanced understanding of identity that can accommodate practical and empirical considerations of human experience.

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Ella Williamson
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25 views

PHIL100 Hurdle Task

The document argues for the psychological continuity theory of personal identity. It claims this theory best accounts for [1] changes in our bodies over time while still considering ourselves the same person, and [2] the malleable and context-dependent nature of our sense of self as shown by psychological and neuroscientific evidence. The theory emphasizes psychological continuity based on memories, beliefs, and personality as the basis for identity rather than physical or biological continuity. This provides a nuanced understanding of identity that can accommodate practical and empirical considerations of human experience.

Uploaded by

Ella Williamson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHIL100 Hurdle Task:

1. Research Question: Argue a case for or against one philosophical theory of identity

2. Argument/ Thesis: The philosophy of personal identity known as the theory of

psychological continuity is a convincing and intuitive perspective, given its ability to

address practical concerns related to one's identity - such as memory, morality, and

beliefs- that are critical aspects in our daily lives. Additionally, this approach

acknowledges the possibility for individuals' growth and development by accommodating

their bodies' constant physical changes.

3. Supporting Points in Defence of Argument:

The psychological continuity theory can account for changes in our bodily features:

- Our physical appearance can change over time due to aging, injury, or cosmetic surgery.

- However, we still consider ourselves to be the same person despite these changes. The

psychological continuity theory posits that personal identity is determined by

psychological connectedness or continuity, rather than physical or biological continuity

(Parfit, 1984).

- The psychological continuity theory can explain this phenomenon by positing that our

sense of self is based on a continuous psychological chain of experiences, memories,

beliefs, desires, and personality traits, rather than our bodily features.

- Psychological continuity can extend across changes in the body, brain, or environment, as

long as there is a sufficient degree of overlap or similarity between past and present

psychological states.
- According to Locke, a person's identity is determined by their ability to remember their

past experiences, and this memory continuity is what makes them the same person over

time.

The psychological continuity theory is consistent with empirical evidence from psychology and

neuroscience:

- Studies have shown that our sense of self is highly malleable and context-dependent.

- Our memories, beliefs, and values are constantly shaped and reshaped by our experiences

and interactions with the environment.

- This suggests that our sense of personal identity is a dynamic and ongoing process, rather

than a fixed and immutable entity (Gallagher, 2000).

The psychological continuity theory can provide a more robust and flexible framework for

understanding identity and selfhood:

- By emphasizing psychological continuity as the basis of personal identity, the

psychological continuity theory can accommodate a wide range of practical, cultural, and

empirical considerations.

- This can provide a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of identity and

selfhood that can better capture the complexity and diversity of human experience.

John Searle’s Criteria of Personal Identity:

- There are four specific criteria that most of us use most of the time when establishing

“which person today is identical with which person in the past” (Searle, 2005, pg. 285)

1. Spatio-temporal continuity of the body


2. Relative temporal continuity of structure
3. Memory
4. Continuity of personality
4. Annotated Bibliography:

Boeker, R. (2021). Locke’s kind-dependent approach to identity. Locke on Persons and Personal

Identity, 13–28. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198846758.003.0002

- Summarises and explains Locke’s approach to identity

- The arguments for psychological continuity

Gallagher, S. (2000). Philosophical conceptions of the self: Implications for cognitive science.

Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 4(1), 14–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1364-6613(99)01417-5

- The neuroscientific research that supports Locke’s memory theory

​Gordon-Roth, J. (2019, February 11). Locke on Personal Identity. Stanford Encyclopedia of

Philosophy.

https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2020/entries/locke-personal-identity/#LockPersPersIdenBa

si

- Formats and explains the different aspects of Locke’s theory of identity in a clear and

concise way

- Easy to understand

- Highlights the philosophical debates that arose from the theory

Parfit, D. (1984). Reasons and persons. Oxford University Press.

Searle, J. R. (2005). The Self. In A brief introduction (pp. 279–299). essay, Oxford University

Press.
Weinberg, S. (1970, January 1). Shelley Weinberg, Locke on personal identity. PhilArchive.

https://philarchive.org/rec/WEILOP-2

- Summarises and explains Locke’s philosophical theories and perspectives on the

problems with identity.

- Interpretes Locke’s orignional text (Book II).

- Highlights objections from other philosophers

Whaley, K. S. (22AD). Psychological approaches to personal identity: Do memories and

Consciousness Make Us Who We Are? 1000-Word Philosophy.

https://1000wordphilosophy.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/psychological-approaches-to-personal-

dentity.pdf

- Establishes the psychological theories of identity

- Specifically Locke’s memory theory.

- Concludes the importance of consciousness for identity

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