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Explanations of Personal Identity
Determining the best explanation of personal identity is a complex task that has long
captivated philosophers
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One prominent approach is the Physical perspective, which asserts that our fundamental identity
is rooted in something physical
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The underlying idea is that our minds exist in their current form
because of the structure of our brains
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It contends that our brains' complicated
workings and structure are crucial in developing our ideas, emotions, and self-awareness, all
essential to our distinct identities
...
As
a result, according to the physical approach, human identity is inextricably linked to the physical
parts of our existence, emphasizing the importance of our brains and other physical characteristics
in establishing who we are as people
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According to this perspective, personal identity
resides in the continuity of our mental states, perceptions, and memories
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Memory, in particular, plays a crucial role (Dunne, par 6)
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Our ongoing mental states,
influenced by past experiences, are vital for maintaining a cohesive sense of self
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In contrast, the Skeptical approach takes a more questioning stance and challenges the
reality and significance of personal identity
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It raises doubts about the existence of a fixed and enduring self (Dunne, par 7)
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According to this viewpoint, personal identity may lack concrete resolution and invites us to
question the nature of our existence
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According to their perspective,
the presence of subjective awareness, consciousness, and personal identity serves as substantiation
for the existence of a separate and distinct self
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Furthermore, our ability
to reflect on our past, imagine future scenarios, and make decisions based on our values and desires
further reinforces the idea of a continuous and enduring self
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However, other people deny the reality of the self, claiming that it is an illusion or a mental
construct
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The bundle theory, for instance,
contends that there is no fixed and enduring self but rather a stream of consciousness composed of

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various mental states (Joel, par 2)
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Scientific advances in domains such as neurology and cognitive science have compounded
the argument over the existence of the self
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The brain's capacity to generate subjective experiences and the malleability of
consciousness challenges the traditional notion of a fixed and independent self (Joel, par 2)
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Works Cited
Luke Dunne, BA Philosophy & Theology Aug 29, 2022 • “Who Am I? The Philosophy of Personal
Identity
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thecollector
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Smith, Joel
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” Stanford
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stanford
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