Single Idea 1366

[catalogued under 16. Persons / D. Continuity of the Self / 2. Mental Continuity / c. Inadequacy of mental continuity]

Full Idea

Is it not strange that the identity of a person should consist in a thing (consciousness) which is continually changing?

Gist of Idea

If consciousness is personal identity, it is continually changing

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 3: Memory [1785], III.Ch 6)

Book Reference

'Personal Identity', ed/tr. Perry,John [University of California 1975], p.116


A Reaction

This is the panicky slippery slope view of Locke, that sees his doctrine as the first step to the destruction of religion. The fact is, though, that parts of my consciousness changes continually, but other parts stay the same for years on end.