Course Description

Am I the same person as I was at age eight? Could I live on as a computer if all of my memories and personality traits were downloaded into the hard drive? What if I experienced neurological degeneration due to advanced dementia? Would I be a different person if I were systematically oppressed in private and public spheres? These questions revolve around core issues in the philosophy of personal identity. In this course, we will explore different perspectives on numerical and narrative identity. Numerical identity refers to the criteria for persisting as a single distinct self across various changes experienced over time. In this vein, we will read positions on biological and psychological continuity. Narrative identity, on the other hand, involves a self-told story that highlights important events and gives personal meaning to our lives. We will analyze and evaluate narrative views, and we will give particular attention to the effects of oppression on identity formation. In addition to reading philosophical texts, we will also read short stories, plays, and poetry. Literature can provide unique insights by expanding our imaginative space and helping us to see the implications of different philosophical positions.