Single Idea 1331

[catalogued under 16. Persons / B. Nature of the Self / 5. Self as Associations]

Full Idea

Whatever changes a person endures, his several parts are still connected by the relation of causation.

Gist of Idea

The parts of a person are always linked together by causation

Source

David Hume (Treatise of Human Nature [1739], I.IV.6)

Book Reference

'Personal Identity', ed/tr. Perry,John [University of California 1975], p.170


A Reaction

However, the opposite ends of the universe are linked together by causation, so that will not suffice for a theory of personal identity. One might try to specify a complex and tight network of causation (like a brain!) instead of just 'connection'.