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Single Idea 1372

[from 'Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed)' by John Locke, in 16. Persons / B. Nature of the Self / 1. Self and Consciousness ]

Full Idea

It being the same consciousness that makes a man himself to himself, personal identity depends on that only, whether it be annexed solely to one individual substance, or can be continued in a succession of several substances.

Gist of Idea

Our personal identity must depend on something we are aware of, namely consciousness

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.27.10)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.336


A Reaction

The counterexample would be a highly sophisticated robot that lacked consciousness. IF it could achieve 'sophisticated' behaviour, we might need personal identity to explain its utterances and doings.