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.
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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.
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