Philosophy Professor Michael Huemer defends interactionist substance dualism, discussing challenges of explaining consciousness physically, human behavior without mental states, personal identity, and implications of different theories on what happens after death. They explore the debate on cognitive abilities in the brain vs. soul, and delve into the concept of reincarnation, discussing the relationship between the soul and the body.
Identity can be understood as a one-to-one relation, challenging the notion of personal identity based on psychological continuity.
Identity can transcend amnesia, with the same person being present even without memory recovery.
A person's identity should not depend on future contingencies but remain the same as their original self.
Psychological factors alone cannot determine personal identity, highlighting the violations of transitivity and memory continuity.
Deep dives
Identity is a one-to-one relation
According to the first principle, identity is a one-to-one relation, meaning every being is identical with exactly one being and no one is ever identical to two beings.
Amnesia and personal identity
The second principle of identity is transitivity, which states that if x is identical with y and y is identical with z, then x is identical with z. This principle challenges the idea that personal identity is based on psychological continuity, such as memories. The example of amnesia showcases the violation of transitivity, as the person with amnesia may not remember their past self, but they are still the same person as before.
Amnesia and the continuation of identity
The third principle examines the continuation of identity even in cases where amnesia persists without future memory recovery. It argues that at the point of amnesia, the person is in the same state whether or not they recover their memories in the future. Therefore, their identity should not depend on a future contingency but should remain the same as their original self.
Challenges to psychological continuity theories
The fourth principle challenges the idea of psychological continuity theories which claim that personal identity is determined by factors like memory and psychological experiences. By highlighting the violations of transitivity and the preservation of identity even without memory continuity, it questions the validity of theories based solely on psychological factors.
The Nature of Personal Identity
The podcast episode delves into the concept of personal identity and explores the question of what makes an individual the same person over time. It discusses the idea of using the term 'clone' to refer to an identical copy of oneself and examines the implications of identical memories and experiences. The podcast raises the issue of the no-branching condition and explores why personal identity is considered to be a one-to-one relation. It also highlights the importance of objective and intrinsic identity, free from external factors or conventions.
Embodiment and Spatial Extension
The podcast briefly touches on the debate surrounding embodiment and spatial extension of the mind. It acknowledges that most cognitive abilities and psychological attributes are closely tied to the brain. It argues that while disembodied existence is possible for the mind, the mind does not intrinsically possess spatial properties. The discussion emphasizes that the causal connection between the mind and the body, rather than physical location, determines embodiment.
Reincarnation and Existence After Death
The podcast explores the concept of reincarnation and its potential implications for personal identity. It considers the idea that souls are eternal and discusses the possibility of existence between incarnations. The discussion also contemplates the reasons why a particular soul may be paired with a specific body and acknowledges the mystery surrounding the origin and nature of these psychophysical laws. The podcast proposes that existence after death may involve a period of disembodied existence until a suitable physical body becomes available for reincarnation.
Dr. Michael Huemer joins me to defend interactionist substance dualism, the view that the mind and body are composed of different substances and can exert causal influence over each other.
