FTR-FIMI209
Philosophy of Personal Identity
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleFTR-FIMI209
Credits (ECTS)5
Category-
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies; Opleiding Filosofie;
Lecturer(s)
Examiner
prof. dr. M.V.P. Slors
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
prof. dr. M.V.P. Slors
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
prof. dr. M.V.P. Slors
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2018
Period
PER3-PER4  (04/02/2019 to 09/06/2019)
Starting block
PER3
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesNo
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
At the end of this course you will be able to:
  • evaluate the most important theoretical perspectives on the question of numerical identity;
  • explain how this question is related to questions about the nature of selves;
  • reflect on the impact of recent scientific developments on various aspects of personal identity.
Content
Traditionally, the problem of personal identity in philosophy is the problem of identity over time: what makes me the same person at different stages of my life? This problem will occupy centre-stage in this course. We will study neo-Lockean psychological continuity theories, narrative identity theories and bodily continuity theories. But we will also discuss related problems. One such problem concerns the nature of selves. What is a ‘self’? We will explore a number of rather different theories, including theories that deny that there is such a thing as ‘the self’ and theories that claim that we have many different types of self. Most of the theories have ethical and practical consequences that will be highlighted. 
Test information
Assignments (50%), final essay (50%).

Prerequisites
BA 1 Philosophy.

Recommended materials
Literature
Literature will be made available on Brightspace

Instructional modes
Lecture

Tests
Paper
Test weight1
Test typePaper
OpportunitiesBlock TENT4, Block TENT5