In This Selection Locke Sets Forth His Psychological State Theory

question 5

True/False

In this selection Locke sets forth his psychological state theory of personal identity, locating the criterion of personal identity in terms of consciousness (personality, character, and, especially, memory). He says that personal identity consists in "the sameness of a rational being [consciousness]." This consciousness can take on different bodily forms and still preserve the same identity. It is possible for a prince to switch bodies with a cobbler, yet the prince would still be the prince.
-Locke holds to a psychological states criterion of personal identity.

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Definitions:

Animals

Multicellular, eukaryotic organisms in the kingdom Animalia (also called Metazoa), which are typically characterized by their ability to move, reproduce sexually, and consume organic material.

Conservation Abilities

Cognitive skills that enable a person to understand that certain properties of objects, like volume and number, remain the same despite changes in form or arrangement.

Neurological Influences

The effects that the nervous system, including brain function, has on behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes.

Drilling

The act of repeated practice or intense study, often used in educational or training contexts to instill knowledge or skills into memory through repetition.