Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Locke and his successors ground personal identity in cont... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→It is clear to us that we will be the same person until a later time by virtue of the fact that we will retain the same character until then.

    Locke and his successors ground personal identity in continuity of memory and psychological connectedness, not in stable character traits.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Memory continuity provides empirical criteria for personal identity that don't rely on unobservable metaphysical entities like immaterial souls.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.We intuitively judge identity by psychological connections: amnesia victims seem like different people, and this reflects how identity actually works.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Character traits fluctuate throughout life (reformed criminals, converts), yet we consider them the same person—proving character isn't identity's basis.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Memory is unreliable and reconstructive; relying on it makes personal identity too contingent on cognitive accidents rather than something fundamental.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The transitivity problem: chains of overlapping memories connect me to my childhood self, but childhood-me shares no direct memories with present-me.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Character traits (values, dispositions, moral commitments) constitute who we are more fundamentally than disconnected memory episodes ever could.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Connections

    1 topic

    Afterlife & Death1 linked

    Related

    Character traits (values, dispositions, moral commitments) constitute who we are...Character traits fluctuate throughout life (reformed criminals, converts), yet w...It is clear to us that we will be the same person until a later time by virtue o...Memory continuity provides empirical criteria for personal identity that don't r...
    +3 moreShow less
    Memory is unreliable and reconstructive; relying on it makes personal identity t...The transitivity problem: chains of overlapping memories connect me to my childh...We intuitively judge identity by psychological connections: amnesia victims seem...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit