more from Joseph Butler

Single Idea 21317

[catalogued under 16. Persons / B. Nature of the Self / 4. Presupposition of Self]

Full Idea

Though the successive consciousnesses which we have of our own existence are not the same, yet they are consciousnesses of one and the same thing or object; of the same person, self, or living agent.

Gist of Idea

Despite consciousness fluctuating, we are aware that it belongs to one person

Source

Joseph Butler (Analogy of Religion [1736], App.1)

Book Reference

'Personal Identity', ed/tr. Perry,John [University of California 1975], p.102


A Reaction

Butler's arguments seems to be that he appears to be the same person, so he is the same person. He is explicitly disagreeing with Locke.