Am I my brother�s keeper? on personal identity and responsibility
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Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Philosophical Society of Southern Africa
Abstract
The psychological continuity theory of personal identity has recently been accused of not meeting what is claimed to be a fundamental requirement on theories of identity - to explain personal moral responsibility. Although they often have much to say about responsibility, the charge is that they cannot say enough. I set out the background to the charge with a short discussion of Locke and the requirement to explain responsibility, then illustrate the accusation facing the theory with details from Marya Schechtman. I aim some questions at the challengers' reading of Locke, leading to an argument that the psychological continuity theory can say all that it needs to say about responsibility, and so is not in any grave predicament, at least not with regard to this particular charge.
Description
Keywords
Marya Schechtman, Locke, Psychological continuity theory, Theories of identity, Moral, Personal
Citation
Beck, S. (2013). Am I my brother�s keeper? on personal identity and responsibility. South African Journal of Philosophy, 32(1): 1-9