John Locke's Memory Theory Of Personal Identity

Of identity and diversity
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Of identity and diversity
John Locke is one of the philosophers who coined several theories of identity that have since been modified over time. John Locke's memory theory of personal identity presents the basic idea of consciousness. He believes that consciousness is enough to describe human identity (Locke, 1975). According to Locke's theory of personal identity, the mind compares itself with very beings of things, but what makes someone the same person over time is consciousness (Locke, 1975).
According to Locke, if someone can retain the memory of past actions, he is the same person. Thomas Reid had a contrary opinion of personal identity. Thomas Reid believes that certain elements presented by Locke’s theory of personhood cannot be justified (Reid, 1785). Thomas Reid argues against Locke's idea of personal identity defined by consciousness only. Reid refutes the idea that consciousness alone cannot define personal identity (Reid, 1785).
This paper presents John Locke memory theory of personal identity, describing Locke's conception of personhood. The paper presents Locke's argument and his justification of personal identity as a psychological process than a bodily process which is continuous. Locke also justifies the psychological continuity, presenting the memory connection of psychological states. The paper will present Thomas Reid highlights on some of the Locke weak arguments in an attempt to challenge the Locke's memory theory.
John Locke's memory theory of personal identity
To understand Locke's concept of memory theory of personal identity, it's important to understand what John means by identity and personal identity. John defines personal identity as what a person stands for; this is his intelligent being based on the levels of reasoning and reflection (Locke, 1975). Intelligence is described by the fact that similar thinking can exist not only in the same place, but in other places at different times within a specified time. According to John Locke, the idea of identity and diversity exists when things are in a place instantly within a given time (Locke, 1975). Locke argues that the same thing that does not exist anywhere is what defines personal identity (Locke, 1975). Therefore, two similar things existing within the same place and time mean that it cannot be found in other places (Locke, 1975).
Locke's conception of personhood is that personal identity is more of a psychological process rather than bodily process. The psychological continuity consists of memory connection between different psychological circumstances (Locke, 1975). John Locke believes that personal identity is a psychological continuity whereby for a person to survive in a place, it is necessary and sufficient that there existed a person who evolved before the other person could exist (Locke, 1975). This idea justifies the related chains of psychological connections of identity.
According to Locke, three substances describe identities; these include God, finite intelligence, and bodies. Locke argues that God does not have a beginning, he is eternal, unalterable and he is everywhere (Locke, 1975). On the other hand, finite spirits have determinate time and place ...