Single Idea 1387

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

Full Idea

Butler thought that Locke's denial of the requirement of identity of substance doomed his analysis of personal identity.

Gist of Idea

Butler thought Locke's theory was doomed once he rejected mental substance

Source

comment on John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.27.25) by John Perry - Introduction to 'Personal Identity' Intro

Book Reference

'Personal Identity', ed/tr. Perry,John [University of California 1975], p.49


A Reaction

Butler seems to have thought that psychological criteria were a slippery slope, whereas substance gives the necessary fixed identity (such as a bishop would require). Personally I say that personal identity is the activity of a physical substance.