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philosophical debate on personal identity

The philosophical debate on personal identity is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been explored by various philosophers, with John Locke's views being particularly influential and contentious.

Locke's View on Personal Identity

Locke's discussion of personal identity, primarily found in Book 2, Chapter 27 of his An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, posits that personal identity is not determined by the identity of substance (either material or immaterial) but by the continuity of consciousness. According to Locke, a person is defined by their consciousness and memory, rather than by their physical body or soul. He argues that "self is not determined by Identity or Diversity of Substance…but only by identity of consciousness"1 2.

Key Points and Debates

Consciousness and Memory: Locke's theory hinges on the idea that personal identity is maintained through continuous consciousness and memory. However, this has been criticized by philosophers like Joseph Butler and Thomas Reid, who argue that memory is not necessary for personal persistence and that Locke's view leads to contradictions, such as the "brave officer" objection1 2.
Relative vs. Strict Identity: There is a debate among scholars about whether Locke is a relativist about identity. Relativists argue that identity depends on the sortal term used (e.g., human being, body, soul), while strict identity theorists believe in a determinate answer to identity questions regardless of the context. Some interpret Locke's views as supporting relative identity, while others argue this reading is anachronistic1.
Substance and Agency: Another line of interpretation suggests that Locke's persons must be substances because they possess powers and agency. However, this requires clarifying what Locke means by "substance" when he says that personal identity does not depend on it. Many scholars argue that Locke is referring to simple substances that compose a person, rather than the person as a whole1.

Criticisms and Responses

Circularity and Contradiction: Critics like Joseph Butler argue that Locke's theory is circular because it presupposes personal identity in order to establish it through consciousness. Thomas Reid's "brave officer" objection highlights a potential contradiction where two different stages of a person's life could both be and not be identical according to Locke's criteria1 2.
Defenses: Philosophers such as Catharine Trotter Cockburn have defended Locke's views, addressing objections about the immortality of the soul and the flux of souls. Cockburn argues that Locke never intended to prove the soul's immortality and that his views do not threaten traditional notions of personhood1.

Other Theories and Comparisons

The Simple View: This view, associated with Plato and Descartes, posits that persons are immaterial souls or pure egos. This contrasts with Locke's psychological continuity view and faces different metaphysical and epistemological challenges2.
Somatic Criterion: Another approach, advocated by philosophers like Eric Olson and Paul Snowdon, suggests that personal identity is constituted by physical relations, such as the continuity of the body or life-sustaining systems. This view is distinct from both Locke's psychological continuity and the Simple View2.

Ethical and Metaphysical Implications

Theories of personal identity have significant ethical and metaphysical implications. They influence discussions on life after death, the justification or condemnation of practices like infanticide or euthanasia, and the existence of souls. The debate over personal identity is thus central to many broader philosophical and religious questions2 3.

In summary, the debate on personal identity is rich with various theories, criticisms, and defenses, with Locke's consciousness-based approach being a pivotal and enduring contribution to the discussion.