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
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Personal identity cannot consist of physical matter

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Identity through material continuity does not require the persistence of identical particles, but rather the persistence of organized structural patterns.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.A ship remains the same ship through gradual plank replacement because the functional organization and causal continuity of parts is preserved, not because matter is fixed.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Therefore, personal identity can consist in the continuous physical organization of a body even as constituent particles are replaced over time.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The empirical claim that all bodily matter is replaced every seven to fourteen years is a simplification that does not hold for neurons, which largely persist for a lifetime.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If neurological matter provides stable physical substrate across a person's lifespan, the supporting argument's key premise is factually undermined and cannot establish immaterialist conclusions.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Every particle of a person's body changes over time
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.After a span of seven to fourteen years, no original particle of a person's body remains
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.If personal identity consisted of physical matter, it would be destroyed when that matter is replaced
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

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