The paper examines the philosophical problem of personal identity. This paper is comparing and qualifying which philosophical theory/account of personal identity is most compelling and persuasive. The paper focuses on the following two theories/accounts of personal identity:
(1) John Lockes theory of personal identity as a matter of psychological continuity, founded on consciousness, especially memory.
(2) David Humes bundle theory of mind, where he argues that there is no continuous self, and that the idea of personal identity is fictitious.
To determine which theory is most convincing the paper will examine the core elements of each theory, identify the major criticisms/objections to each theory, and critique how the theories respond (push back against) those criticisms/objections.
My thesis for the paper: John Lockes account of personal identity is slightly more compelling and persuasive, because at least one of the major criticisms/objectives can be refuted (which is not the case, for the criticisms/objections lodged at David Humes argument against the existence of personal identity).
I have already written a good chunk of the paper and will include it in the uploaded files section. You do not need to edit or change anything regarding the sections of the paper that I have already written. They are uploaded to give you a sense of the writing style and clarity I want for the entire paper (especially, the sections of the paper you will be writing),
What I would like you to do is write certain sections of the paper (which will total about three pages). Each section will address a certain aspect of one of the specific theories (key aspects, criticisms/objections/major problems with the theory, and how philosophers (either John Locke, David Hume, or contemporary philosophers) push back against those criticisms/objections/ problems with the theory.
I have attached some possible information that can be used as citations in the sections of the paper I want you to write about (either in uploaded file and/or next to the outline I will provide about the information I need you to include/address section in the sections of the paper you will be writing (see directly below).
What I need from you for the analysis section of John Locke’s theory:
(1) Define briefly explain John Locke’s definition of the soul (as a immaterial, non physical an entity outside time and space, a perfect essence in an imperfect body). Explain the two major reasons why John Locke thought that the soul was not sufficient criteria for personal identity in “persons” ( human beings). The two major reasons can be found in the cheat sheet (found in the upload files) on John Locke’s theory of personal identity that I will upload. A possible source for citation would be found on pg. 5 the pdf document found at: https://www3.nd.edu/~jspeaks/courses/2006-7/20208/locke-personal-identity.pdf
* This should be no more than two paragraphs (6- 8 sentences in each paragraph).
2). Define and explain the criteria for Locke’s psychological theory of personal identity (via continues consciousness and the importance of memory). This information can be found at: http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1683/the-lockean-memory-theory-of-personal-identity-definition-objection-response.
* This should be no more than two paragraphs (6- 8 sentences in each paragraph).
3). Criticisms/Objections to John Locke’s theory of personal identity. Identify and explain Thomas Reid’s problem/objection to John Locke’s theory that memory is key to personal identity using the the Brave Officer Paradox (i.e. the issue being raised is the transitivity (flow) of memory). Then identify and explain how the contemporary philosopher H.P. Grice addresses and successfully (and logically) resolves the issue of transitivity of memory with his total temporary state (t.t.s.).This information can be found at: http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1683/the-lockean-memory-theory-of-personal-identity-definition-objection-response.
*This section of the paper should be a full page double spaced.
4). Criticisms/Objections to David Hume’s theory that there is no self (and therefore personal identity is an illusion). The criticism that I would like you to write about would be the following: Even if the self is an illusion, the self is the basis of moral responsibility. How can we do without the assumptions of enduring personal identity? The following Youtube Video does an excellent job at explaining these implications: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17WiQ_tNld4
Remember that even if you think there is a solution/logical remedy to this problem it is important for the purposes of this paper, it remain unresolved and count as a strike against David Hume’s argument that the self is non-existent (if simply, because the consequences of not having a personal identity means that their is no moral accountability.
*This section should be the remaining part of the required 3 pgs
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