Between the Buddha, John Locke, David Hume, and Derek Parfit, which philosopher has the most convincing account of personal identity?
Which one is most convincing to you?
I was doing a survey to see what other people think. But the one most convincing to me is David Hume's
I prefer John Locke.
Ms Sue,
When I first looked at them it was a tie, but I wound up choosing Hume's over Locke's. I think both do a pretty good job of convincing on personal identity.
To determine which philosopher has the most convincing account of personal identity among Buddha, John Locke, David Hume, and Derek Parfit, we need to explore their respective philosophies on the topic.
1. The Buddha: The Buddha's teachings revolve around the concept of anatta, or "not-self." According to the Buddha, personal identity is an illusion, and the self is a constantly changing and impermanent phenomenon. The idea of a fixed and unchanging self is considered a source of suffering in Buddhism.
2. John Locke: Locke posited the concept of personal identity as being defined by consciousness. According to Locke, personal identity is determined by a continuity of consciousness, which is rooted in memory. This means that a person is the same if they can remember past experiences as their own.
3. David Hume: Hume rejected the existence of a substantial and enduring self. He argued that personal identity is nothing more than a bundle of perceptions and experiences. According to Hume, the sense of self arises from the continuous flow of thoughts and sensations occurring within our minds.
4. Derek Parfit: Parfit proposed a thought experiment known as the "teletransportation" scenario to discuss personal identity. He argued that personal identity does not necessarily rely on sameness of physical or psychological traits but rather on a continuity of connectedness between different stages of a person's existence.
Determining the most convincing account of personal identity is subjective and may vary depending on individual perspectives and philosophical inclinations. Therefore, it is crucial to delve into each philosopher's writings and arguments to form your own informed opinion on the matter. The best approach would be to read some of their original works or consult reputable academic sources that discuss and compare their ideas on personal identity.