Skip to main content

How did the philosophers Locke and Descartes view personal identity?

French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650) has been called the father of modern western philosophy. English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) is a principal figure of the Enlightenment movement.


Personal identity is a topic most philosophers have addressed, attempting to answer questions such as these: Who am I? What does it mean to be a person? Do I matter? How do I know I’m the same person I was in the past?


Descartes is credited with the...

French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650) has been called the father of modern western philosophy. English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) is a principal figure of the Enlightenment movement.


Personal identity is a topic most philosophers have addressed, attempting to answer questions such as these: Who am I? What does it mean to be a person? Do I matter? How do I know I’m the same person I was in the past?


Descartes is credited with the famous words, "Cogito ergo sum" I think, therefore I exist. He espoused the concept of dualism, division of the mind and the physical body. He believed the material body cannot define personal identity because the body changes over time. He pointed to the immortal soul as the source of identity, believing it remains the same over time.


Locke similarly believed consciousness to be the source of identity. Because we have consciousness of ourselves through memory, Locke pointed to memory as the source of personal identity. In contrast to Descartes, Locke remained ambivalent as to the immortality of the soul, believing it was not a necessary concept for explaining identity. Because memories change and can be lost, Locke also believed identity was fluid and transitory. A criticism of Locke’s view is that if a person forgets or has a faulty memory of an event of his life, he cannot claim to be the same person who experienced it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more