1. The Problem of Personal Identity: What makes me the same person over time? 1. 1.My body Objection: ship of Theseus 2. 2.My immaterial soul or mind (Descartes) Objections: - transmigration of souls - multiple personalities 3. 3.Memory (Locke) Objections: - transitivity problem - unreliable memories - applies only to apparent memories Rene Descartes (1596-1650) Rene Descartes (1596-1650) John Locke (1632-1704) John Locke (1632-1704)

2. 4. 4.Social definition: the self is defined by its relations with others—for example, to be recognized and respected—particularly in terms of culture (Hegel, Taylor). There are as many “selves” in me as there are groups of others who recognize me (James) Objection: personhood can be gained or lost depending on society’s whims Personal Identity (continued) G.W.F. Hegel (1770-1831) Charles Taylor (1931- ) William James (1842-1910)

3. 1. 1.The self is an illusion, the source of suffering, desire, and vanity (Buddhism) Personal Identity: There is no continuous, unchanging self 2.The self is simply a bundle of changing perceptions (Hume) Siddhattha Gautama (565-486 BCE) David Hume (1711-76)