A summary of Locke′s argument(s) in the ″Identity and Diversity″ Section of Locke′s Essay

Introduction

In this essay, John Locke argues that “Identity and Diversity” are a constitution of conscious memories continuity. The article plays a critical role in addressing the validity of personal identity theory. It explains how an individual can remain the same through different periods. Some of the essential elements discussed in the text are the definition of what it is to be a human being, justification of personal identity, and the aspect of consciousness possession over time (memory) as opposed to being rooted in different substances. The other element discussed in the text is the assessment of various Locke’s objections through the evaluation of memory sufficiency as a single criterion of establishing personal identity through veracity, reliability, and relationship with the human body.

Locke’s definition of a person distinguishes the terms “person, and man “through the clarification of personhood ideas. It is critical to note that the term “person” is employed as a legal term to attribute blame and merit. Notably, “man’ is taken as a reference to the identity of an organism as a continuation of life through constant fleeting matter particles with succession and unification of an organized body. For instance, the composition of an individual can change in terms of material composition but remains the same organism. A person is the same as he or she was some years ago; the only difference is caused by physical changes. The core thing which retains humanity is the consciousness and ability to perceive and think. Self-consciousness in humankind is responsible for making an individual believe that they are the same subject seeing and thinking in different places and times. .

Personal identity and being a person are two different claims. The first is a diachronic relation, which requires consciousness while the latter presupposes a synchronic knowledge. Indeed, the principle of personal identity is conscious memory.  Locke asserts that conscious memory is not affected by substances. A person is a combination of conscious memories that do not have objections. These memories are not perfect, and that is why people can forget the past, and when extended, personal identity is lost. It can be drawn out that Locke’s definition of being a person does not support identity transitivity. There is also a possibility that Locke can be wrong about the relations which exist between the body and consciousness. Locke feels that personal identity is dependent on memory, which plays a critical role in explaining diachronic personhood.