Question 1

The bodily criterion of personal identity says that a person exists as long as

Accepted Answer

The bodily criterion of personal identity posits that a person's identity is tied directly to the existence of their physical body, regardless of the state or parts of the body, such as the brain.

Question 2

In Parfit's first example, he imagines his head being transplanted onto his twin's body. The main question this example is intended to provoke is

Accepted Answer

Parfit's example is designed to explore questions of personal identity and survival, specifically whether he would continue to be the same individual after such an operation.

Question 3

When Parfit imagines his head transplanted onto his twin's body, does he think that he would still be the same person after this operation?

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

Which facts does Parfit think are most significant about the head transplant example?

Accepted Answer

Parfit emphasizes the psychological continuity and connectedness (such as retaining memories and psychological traits) as the most significant aspects of personal identity, rather than the physical body itself.

Question 5

What is Parfit's opinion about the bodily criterion of personal identity?

Accepted Answer

Derek Parfit rejects the bodily criterion of personal identity, arguing instead that psychological continuity and connectedness are what matter for personal identity, not the physical body itself.

Question 6

What is Parfit's conclusion about the head transplant example?

Accepted Answer

Parfit's view on personal identity, particularly in the context of the head transplant example, suggests that the continuity of personal identity might not be as significant as we often think. He argues that what matters in survival is psychological continuity and connectedness, not necessarily being the same person. Thus, the new person might not be Parfit in the strictest sense, but this does not carry significant negative implications for what matters in survival.

Question 7

According to the brain-based psychological criterion, a future person is me if that person has

Accepted Answer

The brain-based psychological criterion posits that a future person is considered the same individual as the current person if there is psychological continuity between the two, which is often thought to be supported by having enough of the original person's brain. This continuity includes memories, personality traits, and other cognitive characteristics.

Question 8

In Parfit's single case, what does he imagine happening?

Accepted Answer

Parfit imagines a scenario where half of his brain is destroyed and the other half is transplanted into a new body, raising questions about personal identity and survival.

Question 9

In Parfit's single case, what does he conclude about the new person created?

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

In Parfit's double case, what does he imagine happening?

Accepted Answer

Parfit's double case imagines a scenario where each half of his brain is transplanted into separate bodies, effectively creating two new individuals who might both claim to be Parfit. This thought experiment is used to explore questions of personal identity and what it means to be the same person over time.

Question 11

In Parfit's double case, what does he conclude about the new people created?

Accepted Answer

Derek Parfit's thought experiments, including the double case, often conclude with the idea that personal identity is not what matters in survival. In the double case, he suggests that even if neither of the new people is him, this does not matter morally or for survival, challenging traditional views on personal identity.

Question 12

According to Parfit, what do the single and double cases show about personal identity?

Accepted Answer

Parfit argues that personal identity is not what matters; rather, it is the psychological continuity and connectedness with future people that is important.

Question 13

What do the single and double cases have in common?

Accepted Answer

In both the single and double cases, the relationship Derek Parfit posits between himself and the new people created is consistent, focusing on the nature of identity and its implications on personal identity and survival.

Question 14

We normally think that what matters is that "I" continue to exist. Instead, Parfit thinks that what matters is that

Accepted Answer

Parfit's view on personal identity emphasizes psychological continuity over the existence of a singular, unchanging self. He argues that what matters is the existence of future persons who share a psychological connection with us, rather than the continuation of our identity in a strict sense.

Question 15

If your head was transplanted onto someone else's body, would you still be you? Would it matter if it was a person of a different age or gender? If your brain was transplanted into a different body, would that be a different situation? Why or why not?

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Question 16

Explain Parfit's single case and double case. What point is he trying to make with these stories?

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Question 17

How does Parfit think we should revise our views about identity?
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
John Locke

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Question 18

Why does Locke take sameness of consciousness to be the criterion for personal identity? Do you agree? Explain.

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

What is Locke's response to the objection that one can lose memories? Is it convincing? Explain.

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Is Locke's view of personal identity compatible with immortality? Explain.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 6: Identity