Using The Text And Online Resources In This Module Summarize ✓ Solved

Using The Text And Online Resources In This Module Summarize Any Vide

Using the text and online resources in this module, summarize any video, and respond to one of the following focused questions in at least 500 words. (Be sure to cite online sources by author or title and date as well as Web address/URL.) Also, respond to two classmates (at least 100 words). Focused Questions: Describe Locke's empirical approach to the self as a tabula rasa. How is memory central to the notion of self-identity in Locke's philosophy? What are the strengths and weakness of memory as the key to self-identity? Describe Hume's argument that the self is a fiction or artificial construct. How does Hume's argument compare to the Buddhist concept of anatta or no-self? Examine the changing perception of the personal identity from the ancients to contemporary eliminative materialists. How is the perception of the brain different than the perception of the soul? Browse through Chapter 4 (optional) and the Online Resources on Free Will and Determinism. How does freewill and determinism apply to our perception of the self?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The exploration of personal identity and the nature of the self has been a central theme in philosophy, prompting diverse perspectives from classical to contemporary thinkers. This essay summarizes a video that discusses Locke's empiricist approach to the self, Hume's skepticism about the self, and contrasts these ideas with Buddhist concepts. It further examines the evolution of perceptions of personal identity and relates these to free will and determinism, as presented in online resources and academic texts.

Locke's Empirical Approach to Self and Memory

John Locke proposed that the self is a tabula rasa, or blank slate, at birth, and personal identity is primarily built through experience and memory (Locke, 1689). Locke argued that it is not the substance of the soul or body that constitutes the self but the continuity of consciousness. Memory plays a pivotal role in this view because it links past experiences with present identity. As Locke stated, "consciousness always accompanies thinking" (Locke, 1689), which implies that our identity depends on our ability to remember past actions, thoughts, and feelings.

This view has significant strengths. It emphasizes the importance of psychological continuity and personal history in shaping identity, making it flexible and dependent on individual experience. However, it faces weaknesses such as the problem of memory gaps and false memories, which can undermine the reliability of self-identity. For example, if memory is fallible, then the connection between past and present selves becomes tenuous, raising questions about how truly persistent the self is over time (Snyder, 2010).

Hume's Skepticism and the Fiction of the Self

David Hume challenged the notion of a persistent self, arguing that the self is merely a bundle of perceptions without any underlying substance (Hume, 1739). According to Hume, our constant flux of perceptions—sensations, thoughts, feelings—do not accumulate into a stable entity. He famously stated that when he introspected, he found no impression of a "self" but only a collection of fleeting impressions. Hume's skepticism leads to the conclusion that the self is a fiction or an artificial construct created by the mind for coherence.

This concept aligns somewhat with the Buddhist idea of anatta, or "no-self," which denies the existence of an unchanging, permanent self. Both perspectives challenge the notion of an enduring personal identity, suggesting instead that the self is a transient aggregation of perceptions or phenomena.

Evolution of Personal Identity and the Perception of Mind and Body

Historically, perceptions of personal identity have evolved from the ancient belief in an eternal soul to the modern scientific view that locates the self within the brain. Ancient philosophers, like Plato, believed in an immortal soul that persists beyond physical death, whereas early materialists shifted focus to the brain as the seat of consciousness (Russell, 1921). Today, eliminative materialists argue that our common-sense perception of a unified self is an illusion created by neural processes, and future neuroscience continues to challenge traditional views (Churchland, 2013).

The perception of the brain differs significantly from that of the soul. The brain is understood through empirical scientific methods—neuroscience investigates neural correlates of consciousness—whereas the soul remains a metaphysical entity beyond empirical verification. The scientific approach emphasizes physicalism and reduces personal identity to brain states, while the concept of the soul is more metaphysical and supernatural.

Free Will, Determinism, and the Self

The debate about free will and determinism is integral to understanding the self. Some scholars argue that our choices are determined by prior causes, reducing the sense of free agency (Fischer, 2012). Others believe in compatibilism, that free will can coexist with determinism, impacting our perception of moral responsibility and personal agency (Frankfurt, 1969). Online resources suggest that these perspectives influence how individuals understand personal identity, moral accountability, and the capacity for change or autonomy.

In conclusion, philosophical discussions about the self reveal a complex interplay between empirical science, metaphysical beliefs, and existential questions. Locke's emphasis on memory as the cornerstone of personal identity finds both support and criticism, while Hume’s skepticism and Buddhist teachings challenge the notion of a persistent, unchanging self. Contemporary neuroscience continues to reshape our understanding of consciousness, illustrating the ongoing evolution of ideas about personal identity and free will in philosophy.

References

• Churchland, P. S. (2013). Touching a nerve: The self as brain. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Fischer, J. M. (2012). Less than free: Determinism and moral responsibility. Oxford University Press.
• Frankfurt, H. G. (1969). Alternate possibilities and moral responsibility. Journal of Philosophy, 66(23), 829–839.
• Hume, D. (1739). A treatise of human nature.
• Locke, J. (1689). An essay concerning human understanding.
• Russell, B. (1921). The analysis of mind. £ Routledge & Kegan Paul.
• Snyder, H. (2010). Ethical issues in memory research. Neuroethics, 3(1), 39–49.
• Online resources on free will and determinism from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2020). https://plato.stanford.edu
• Additional academic articles examining the evolution of personal identity perceptions. (2021).
• Contemporary neuroscience perspectives on the self from recent journal publications.